Map of the month: October

'A celestial atlas'

'Spring (Star constellations)', by J Middleton. London, 1842.
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The map's full title is 'A celestial atlas, containing maps of all the constellations visible in Great Britain with corresponding blank maps of the stars — systematically arranged for communicating a practical knowledge of the heavens'.

'A celestial atlas' shows the locations of stars and constellations in the night sky. J Middleton states in his preface that the atlas was published at the request of his pupils in astronomy.

Published in 1842, the map spans the shift from ornate astrological charts full of mythical creatures, to scientific charts showing stars by magnitude and number. 

This map of the night sky was selected to mark October's Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2016: Festival of Dreams.

See also: 'Spring (Night sky view)' on our Maps website