Sceptrum Brandenburgicum
Encyclopedia
Sceptrum Brandenburgicum (or Sceptrum Brandenburgium – Latin
for scepter of Brandenburg) was a constellation
created in 1688 by Gottfried Kirch
, astronomer of the Prussia
n Royal Society of Sciences. It represented the scepter used by the royal family of the Brandenburgs. It was located west from the constellation of Lepus
. The constellation was quickly forgotten and is no longer in use. Its name was however partially inherited by one of its brightest stars, Sceptrum, which today is denoted 53 Eridani
. This name is still in use today.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for scepter of Brandenburg) was a constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
created in 1688 by Gottfried Kirch
Gottfried Kirch
Gottfried Kirch was a German astronomer. The son of a shoemaker in Guben, Electorate of Saxony, Kirch first worked as a calendar-maker in Saxonia and Franconia. He began to learn astronomy in Jena, and studied under Hevelius in Danzig...
, astronomer of the Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n Royal Society of Sciences. It represented the scepter used by the royal family of the Brandenburgs. It was located west from the constellation of Lepus
Lepus (constellation)
Lepus is a constellation lying just south of the celestial equator, immediately south of Orion. Its name is Latin for hare. Although the hare does not represent any particular figure in Greek mythology, Lepus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it...
. The constellation was quickly forgotten and is no longer in use. Its name was however partially inherited by one of its brightest stars, Sceptrum, which today is denoted 53 Eridani
53 Eridani
53 Eridani is a star in the constellation Eridanus. It has the traditional name Sceptrum . 53 Eridani was one of the brighter stars, designated "p Sceptri ", in the obsolete constellation Sceptrum Brandenburgicum....
. This name is still in use today.