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   [[File:Lacaille text newConst1752 Pic.JPG|alt=screenshot(s) of text|thumb|Pictor in Lacaille's definition 1752]]
   [[File:Lacaille text newConst1752 Pic.JPG|alt=screenshot(s) of text|thumb|Pictor in Lacaille's definition 1752]]
=== Origin of Constellation ===
=== Origin of Constellation ===
Nicolas Louis de Lacaille conceived this constellation. In 1756, he named it “Le Chavelet du Peintre” in French and described a canvas attached to an easel. Nothing more is known about this. He drew this constellation in a gap in the ancient images, where, next to the bright star [[Canopus]] in the ship, the faint stars close to the horizon had not been noticed.
Nicolas Louis de Lacaille conceived this constellation. In 1756, he named it “Le Chevalet du Peintre” in French and described a canvas attached to an easel. Nothing more is known about this. He drew this constellation in a gap in the ancient images, where, next to the bright star [[Canopus]] in the ship, the faint stars close to the horizon had not been noticed. In 1763 Lacaille Latinized the name to Equuleus Pictorius.


In the 19th century, the English astronomer John Herschel, son of the discoverer of Uranus, suggested shortening the name from ‘Schafflei des Malers’ to ‘Maler’ – and abbreviations are usually popular.
In the 19th century, the English astronomer John Herschel, son of the discoverer of Uranus, suggested shortening the name to Pictor – and abbreviations are usually popular.


=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
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File:Pic Bode1782.jpg|Pictor in Bode (1782, 1805).
File:Pic Bode1782.jpg|Pictor in Bode (1782, 1805).
File:Dor+Vol+Pic Fortin1795 picHi.jpg|Pictor in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:Dor+Vol+Pic Fortin1795 picHi.jpg|Pictor in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:H.A. Rey's stick figure stellarium-062.png|(1952) H.A. Rey's stick figure of Pictor
File:O. Hlad's stick figure stellarium-063.png|(1988) O. Hlad's stick figure of Pictor
</gallery>
</gallery>


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== Weblinks ==
== Weblinks ==


*  
* Ian Ridpath's ''Star Tales'' – [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/pictor.html Pictor]


== References ==
== References ==
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* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]


[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:European]]  [[Category:Constellation]]  [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:European]]  [[Category:Asterism]][[Category:Constellation]]  [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Pic]]

Latest revision as of 17:48, 22 July 2026

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann, Youla Azkarrula, IanRidpath


star chart
Pictor star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)

One of the 88 IAU constellations. It was invented by Lacaille (1752).

Etymology and History

screenshot(s) of text
Pictor in Lacaille's definition 1752

Origin of Constellation

Nicolas Louis de Lacaille conceived this constellation. In 1756, he named it “Le Chevalet du Peintre” in French and described a canvas attached to an easel. Nothing more is known about this. He drew this constellation in a gap in the ancient images, where, next to the bright star Canopus in the ship, the faint stars close to the horizon had not been noticed. In 1763 Lacaille Latinized the name to Equuleus Pictorius.

In the 19th century, the English astronomer John Herschel, son of the discoverer of Uranus, suggested shortening the name to Pictor – and abbreviations are usually popular.

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

Mythology

  • Ian Ridpath's Star TalesPictor

References