One of the least imaginative
constellations, Triangulum Minus was invented in 1687 by
Johannes Hevelius. It was formed from three stars south of the
existing celestial triangle, Triangulum, which Hevelius renamed
Triangulum Majus. The little triangle achieved surprisingly
wide acceptance among astronomers, but ultimately was doomed to
oblivion when the constellations came to be rationalized. Its
stars were transferred to Triangulum proper where they are now
known as 6, 10 and 12 Trianguli.
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Triangulum Minus shown on the Firmamentum Sobiescianum star atlas of Johannes Hevelius, published posthumously in 1690. Hevelius showed the constellations as they would appear on a celestial globe rather than as seen in the sky; for a view of the two triangles the right way round on the star chart of John Flamsteed, see Triangulum. Next to Triangulum Minus is another doomed constellation, Musca Borealis, which was invented by Petrus Plancius. Image © Tartu Observatory Virtual Museum.
© Ian Ridpath. All rights reserved
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