John C. Barentine Livres

Exploring the evolution of constellations, this book delves into the stories of influential celestial cartographers and the historical context behind the 88 modern constellations. It highlights how some figures became extinct while others were discarded, offering guidance on how to spot these lost constellations in the night sky. By merging history with practical stargazing techniques, readers are invited to rediscover these historical figures, enhancing their celestial observations and appreciation of the cosmos.

The Ashen Light of Venus, a mysterious glow observed on the planet's night side, has puzzled astronomers for over four centuries. Despite numerous reputable observers claiming to have witnessed this phenomenon, many others have dedicated their lives to searching for it without success. This enduring enigma highlights the challenges of astronomical observation and the complexities of understanding our closest planetary neighbor.

This book compiles an array of interesting constellations that fell by the wayside before the IAU established the modern canon of constellations. That decision left out lesser known ones whose history is nevertheless interesting, but at last author John Barentine is giving them their due. This book is a companion to "The Lost Constellations", highlighting the more obscure configurations. The 16 constellations found in this volume fall into one or more of three broad categories: asterims, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major; single-sourced constellations introduced on surviving charts by a cartographer perhaps currying the favor of sponsors; and re-brands, new figures meant to displace existing constellations, often for an ideological reason. All of them reveal something unique about the development of humanity's map of the sky.