Navicula S. Petri: Difference between revisions
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.. | [[File:Coelum Stellatum Christianum 02.jpg|thumb|Navicula S. Petri constellation in Schiller, 1627 (public domain, Linda hall Library)]] | ||
Navicula Sancti Petri, the constellation of the Barque of Saint Peter the Apostle, is an Early Modern, European constellation in [[Ursa Major]]. It was introduced by Julius Schiller. | |||
Julius Schiller (d. 1627) was an Augustinian monk and astronomer from Augsburg. In collaboration with Johann Bayer, he published the ''Coelum Stellatum Christianum'', an attempt to "Christianize" the heavens. Schiller organized the heavens by placing New Testament symbols in the north and Old Testament figures in the south, while famously replacing the twelve zodiac signs with the Twelve Apostles. | |||
Unlike Bayer’s famous ''Uranometria'', Schiller’s work remained a historical curiosity. He depicted the stars mirror-reversed, viewing the firmament from "God’s perspective" looking down toward Earth, a style common for celestial globes but rare for printed maps. Despite its radical imagery, the atlas remained scientifically rigorous for its time. Schiller utilized Johann Bayer's data, which was largely based on the precise observations of Tycho Brahe. | |||
== Concordance, Etymology, History == | == Concordance, Etymology, History == | ||
=== Origin of Constellation === | === Origin of Constellation === | ||
Schiller’s transformation of ''[[Ursa Major]]'' into the Barque of Saint Peter (''Navicula Petri'') serves as a centerpiece of his northern hemisphere. This choice was deeply symbolic: in Christian iconography, the boat of Peter represents the Church navigating the stormy waters of the world. By projecting this image onto one of the most recognizable and sprawling constellations in the sky, Schiller transformed a familiar celestial landmark into a constant reminder of divine guidance and the institutional Church. | |||
The "Big Dipper" asterism, which forms the core of ''Ursa Major'', was cleverly repurposed to define the structural frame of the vessel. To maintain scientific continuity, Schiller retained the exact star positions recorded by Tycho Brahe and Johann Bayer, ensuring that even as the "Great Bear" vanished into theological history, the stars themselves remained reliable points for astronomical measurement. Combined with the nearby [[Michael|''Archangel Michael'']] ([[Ursa Minor|''Ursa Minor'']]), these two constellations created a celestial narrative of a protected Church steered through the heavens under the watchful eye of the celestial host. | |||
==== Spelling Variants ==== | ==== Spelling Variants ==== | ||
Latest revision as of 07:41, 4 February 2026
Authors: Doris Vickers
Navicula Sancti Petri, the constellation of the Barque of Saint Peter the Apostle, is an Early Modern, European constellation in Ursa Major. It was introduced by Julius Schiller. Julius Schiller (d. 1627) was an Augustinian monk and astronomer from Augsburg. In collaboration with Johann Bayer, he published the Coelum Stellatum Christianum, an attempt to "Christianize" the heavens. Schiller organized the heavens by placing New Testament symbols in the north and Old Testament figures in the south, while famously replacing the twelve zodiac signs with the Twelve Apostles.
Unlike Bayer’s famous Uranometria, Schiller’s work remained a historical curiosity. He depicted the stars mirror-reversed, viewing the firmament from "God’s perspective" looking down toward Earth, a style common for celestial globes but rare for printed maps. Despite its radical imagery, the atlas remained scientifically rigorous for its time. Schiller utilized Johann Bayer's data, which was largely based on the precise observations of Tycho Brahe.
Concordance, Etymology, History
Origin of Constellation
Schiller’s transformation of Ursa Major into the Barque of Saint Peter (Navicula Petri) serves as a centerpiece of his northern hemisphere. This choice was deeply symbolic: in Christian iconography, the boat of Peter represents the Church navigating the stormy waters of the world. By projecting this image onto one of the most recognizable and sprawling constellations in the sky, Schiller transformed a familiar celestial landmark into a constant reminder of divine guidance and the institutional Church.
The "Big Dipper" asterism, which forms the core of Ursa Major, was cleverly repurposed to define the structural frame of the vessel. To maintain scientific continuity, Schiller retained the exact star positions recorded by Tycho Brahe and Johann Bayer, ensuring that even as the "Great Bear" vanished into theological history, the stars themselves remained reliable points for astronomical measurement. Combined with the nearby Archangel Michael (Ursa Minor), these two constellations created a celestial narrative of a protected Church steered through the heavens under the watchful eye of the celestial host.
Spelling Variants
- ... (Latin Genitive)
- ... (Latin Nominative)
- ... (Latin Dative? / Translation )
Identifications
Depending on the season and context, the term "..." can have the following identifications:
Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation
Here we give a list of all sources where the name is attested.
| Source | Identification |
|---|---|
| Pleiades | |
| The Hyades | |
| The tail of Scorpius (η, θ, ι, κ, λ, and υ Scorpii) |
Religion/ Mythology
mnemonic tales and cultural significance
Weblinks
References
- References (general)
