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Ptolemaic planisphere, 1708
06 Aug 2007 --- Ptolemaic planisphere. This is plate 1 from the 1708 edition of the star atlas 'Harmonica Macrocosmica' by the Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius (1596-1665). It shows the geocentric worldview of the 2nd-century Greek philosopher Ptolemy (lower right). Circling the Earth are chariots for the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The zodiacal signs are on the rim. Astronomers and muses adorn the border. 'Harmonica Macrocosmica', first published in 1660, had 30 colour plates with Latin text. This edition was published in Amsterdam by Petrus Schenk and Gerard Valk. --- Image by © Science Photo Library/Corbis