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A constellation in the southern sky is called Volans. Its name, Piscis Volans, is an abbreviated version of the original name, which describes it as a flying fish. (Staal 1988) One of the twelve constellations named by Petrus Plancius based on observations made by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, Volans originally appeared on a 35-cm diameter celestial globe that Plancius and Jodocus Hondius produced in Amsterdam in 1597 (or 1598). In Johann Bayer's Uranometria from 1603, this constellation first appeared in a celestial atlas. (Staal 1988)
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Volans Constellation - Zotti, G., Hoffmann, S. M., Wolf, A., Chéreau, F., & Chéreau, G. (2021). The Simulated Sky: Stellarium for Cultural Astronomy Research. Journal of Skyscape Archaeology, 6(2), 221–258. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsa.17822
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History
The Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman created twelve constellations in the late 16th century, and Volans is one of them. The first time it was shown was in 1598 on Petrus Plancius' globe. The constellation was known as Vliegendenvis by Plancius (flying fish).
Under the name Piscis Volans, or the flying fish, Johann Bayer included the constellation in his star atlas Uranometria in 1603. In 1844, John Herschel recommended condensing the name to a single word, pointing out that Lacaille had occasionally done the same with his constellations. (Herschel 1844) This was accepted by everyone.
A particular species of tropical fish known as a volan can leap out of the water and fly through the air on its wings. The flying fish was frequently shown accompanying the ship Argo Navis on early celestial maps, being pursued by the carnivorous fish symbolised by the nearby constellation Dorado.
The Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman created twelve constellations in the late 16th century, and Volans is one of them. The first time it was shown was in 1598 on Petrus Plancius' globe. The constellation was known as Vliegendenvis by Plancius (flying fish).
Under the name Piscis Volans, or the flying fish, Johann Bayer included the constellation in his star atlas Uranometria in 1603. In 1844, John Herschel recommended condensing the name to a single word, pointing out that Lacaille had occasionally done the same with his constellations. (Herschel 1844) This was accepted by everyone.
A particular species of tropical fish known as a volan can leap out of the water and fly through the air on its wings. The flying fish was frequently shown accompanying the ship Argo Navis on early celestial maps, being pursued by the carnivorous fish symbolised by the nearby constellation Dorado.
Deep-sky Objects
Main stars - 6
Bayer stars - 12
Stars with planets - 2
Stars brighter than magnitude 3.00 - 0
Stars within 32 Ly - 1
Messier objects - 0
Meteor showers - 0
Bordering
constellations
- NGC 2442 & NGC 2443 – Two parts of a single galaxy
Main stars - 6
Bayer stars - 12
Stars with planets - 2
Stars brighter than magnitude 3.00 - 0
Stars within 32 Ly - 1
Messier objects - 0
Meteor showers - 0
Bordering
constellations
- Carina
- Pictor
- Dorado
- Mensa
- Chamaeleon
By IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)