Historia Coelestis Britannica

work by Flamsteed

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June 29, 2026

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The Historia Coelestis Britannica is a significant star catalog compiled by John Flamsteed, the first astronomer royal of England and founder of the Greenwich Observatory. Published posthumously in 1725, it was a comprehensive work that listed over 3,000 stars with unprecedented accuracy for its time. Flamsteed's meticulous observations and cataloging efforts were crucial for the advancement of astronomy, providing a foundation for later astronomical work. Some of the designations he assigned to stars, such as 61 Cygni, are still in use today. The creation of this catalog was part of a larger, continuous tradition of astronomical observation and cataloging that spans millennia and cultures.123

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John Flamsteed
His own star catalog, Historia Coelestis Britannica (1725), listed more stars (3,000) and gave their positions much more accurately than did any other previous work. Some stars, such as 61 Cygni, are still known by their numbers in his system.
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His own star catalog, Historia Coelestis Britannica (1725), listed more stars (3,000) and gave their positions much more accurately than did any other previous work. Some stars, such as 61 Cygni, are still known by their numbers in his system.
Read More

star catalog
…Flamsteed (1646–1719) published his catalog, Historia coelestis Britannica, in 1725. Some of his designations are still in use—e.g., 61 Cygni for the star having the 61st greatest right ascension in the constellation Cygnus. Friedrich W.A. Argelander of Germany compiled the Bonner Durchmusterung
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…Flamsteed (1646–1719) published his catalog, Historia coelestis Britannica, in 1725. Some of his designations are still in use—e.g., 61 Cygni for the star having the 61st greatest right ascension in the constellation Cygnus. Friedrich W.A. Argelander of Germany compiled the Bonner Durchmusterung
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astronomical map
Star names and designations
In Historia Coelestis Britannica (published posthumously in 1725), Flamsteed numbered the stars within each of 54 constellations consecutively according to right ascension, and the Flamsteed numbers are customarily used for the fainter naked-eye stars such as 61 Cygni.
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In Historia Coelestis Britannica (published posthumously in 1725), Flamsteed numbered the stars within each of 54 constellations consecutively according to right ascension, and the Flamsteed numbers are customarily used for the fainter naked-eye stars such as 61 Cygni.
Read More