1860 Garnier Celestial or Star Map in Two Hemispheres

Drawn as if painted inside two imaginary vaults or domes, this 1860 Garnier celestial or star map details the stars and planets as they would appear in Paris over one calendar year. Two lines present in each hemisphere mark Paris's northern and southern horizons and inform the viewer that any stars between these lines and the poles would never be seen from Paris. Centered on the equinoctial colure (the celestial great circle that passes through the celestial poles and both equinoxes), the Sun is placed where the two spheres meet, and its ecliptic curves its way across the heavens. All twelve months appear along the ecliptic and indicate the passage of time. Major constellations are labeled, although not drawn, leaving some uncertainty as to their exact composition.

Two Hemispheres and a Solar System Model

The hemispheres as they appear from the North and South Poles are situated in the bottom corners. The Copernican model of the Solar System is illustrated at center with all the planets labeled, including the fictitious planet Vulcan. Explanations referring to the larger diagram separate these three charts.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by F.A. Garnier in 1860. It is not cataloged in OCLC and has appeared on the private market only a handful of times.