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Free Old Printable Constellation Map Posters To Download

This fabulous collection of vintage constellation map posters, celestial maps and star charts. Constellation maps are made up of 88 known constellations and are used to help astronomers to locate stars and other objects in the sky.

Depending on where you are based in the world and the season will depend on what constellations you will see. Of the 88 recognized star constellations, 36 are found mainly in the northern sky, while the remaining 52 are in the southern sky.

Antique Celestial Maps To Print

constellation is a group of stars that forms an imaginary outline or pattern on the celestial sphere, typically representing an animal, a mythological person or creature, a god, or an inanimate object.

Many of the old constellation map posters are full of gorgeous colourful illustrations of these animals, creatures and objects.

The constellation map posters in this curated collection were drawn in the 17th and 19th Centuries. Many of the more richly illustrated celestial maps tend to be the earlier ones.

I think these gorgeous star maps would look fabulous framed on a gallery wall.

vintage constellation map posters

The Old Constellation Map Posters

1. The Constellations (July, August, September) -1856

This rare hand-coloured map of the stars was engraved by W. G. Evans of New York for Burritt’s 1856 edition of the Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens. It represents the Northern night sky in the months of July, August and September.

Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent. Included on this chart are Scorpio (the Scorpion), Sagittarius (the Archer), Capricorn (the Goat), Serpentarius (the Serpent Bearer) and Taurus (the Bull). The chart is quartered by lines indicating the Solstitial and Equinoctial Colures. Like all of Burritt’s charts, it is based on the celestial cartographic work of Pardies and Doppelmayr.

Map of Constellations July August September

2. The Constellation Map Posters June, May, April – 1856

Another one of the constellation map posters from Burritt’s 1856 Atlas. It represents the Northern night sky in June, May, and April.

Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent. Included on this chart are Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Virgin), Bootes, Hydra (the Snake) and the Centaur, among others. The celestial map is quartered by lines indicating the Solstitial and Equinoctial Colures.

free star map showing constellations

3. The Constellations October, November and December 1856.

Another of the constellation map posters from Burritt’s 1856 edition of the Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens. It represents the Northern night sky in October, November and December.

Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the star maps are said to represent. Included on this chart are Aquarius (the Water Bearer), Aries (the Ram), Pisces (the Fish), Capricorn (the Sea Goat) and Cetus (the Whale).

Constellations map posters October November december

4. Constellation Map Posters for Each Month of The Year – 1856

A celestial map of the stars of the northern hemisphere. It represents the night sky and constellations of the Northern Hemisphere.

Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent. Included on this chart are Ursa Major (Great Bear or the Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (the Little Bear or Little Dipper), Draco (the Dragono), Cassiopeia (the W), Perseus, Camelopardalis, and Cepheus. From Burritt’s 1856 edition of the Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens.

constellation map posters

5. Celestial Map of The Southern Hemisphere Stars – 1856

A celestial map of the night sky and constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent. Included on this chart are Hydra (the Snake), Dorado (the Sword Fish), Pavo (the Peacock) and the Centaur—another one from Burritt’s 1856 edition of the Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens.

Constellation Map of the Stars of Southern Hemisphere

6.1878 Migeon Map of the Stars and Constellations

An 1878 printable constellation map by the French cartographer Migeon. This map depicts the night skies of both the northern and southern hemispheres. It is from Migeon’s Geographie Universelle, published in Paris.

free Celestial map

7. Situs Terrae circulis coelestibus circundatae (1) 1708

A beautifully illustrated map from the early 18th century showing the world and the heavenly bodies that surround it. The Latin title is “The site of earth surrounded by heavenly.

This looks a bit like the stellar compass you’ll find in this collection of vintage nautical prints.

vintage heavenly body map

8. Planisphæri cœleste, by Frederik de Wit

Frederik de Wit was a Dutch cartographer of the 1600s who created this fantastic celestial map of the night sky, illustrating the tremendous creatures hidden in the stars.

constellation map showing the creatures

9. 1930 – Star Map of northern hemisphere and zodiac

A Starry sky of the northern hemisphere and zodiac (pattern for constructing a celestial map). Form the German school atlas Lange-Diercke – Sächsischer Schulatlas.

You could use this constellation map as guide when making these DIY zodiac ornaments.

Starry sky of northern hemisphere and zodiac (pattern for construction of a celestial map)

10. 1661 Andreas Cellarius – Celestial Map

A gorgeous colourful, illustrated constellation map poster of the starry constellations by the Dutch-German cartographer Andreas Cellarius.

Constellation map posters

11. 1661 Plant Earth Orbit Map

Another printable constellation map from Harmonia Macrocosmica, a star atlas written by Andreas Cellarius and published in 1660 by Johannes Janssonius.

Constellation map posters
12 signs of the zodiac pictures vintage

There is a celestial map in the vintage pictures of board games.

If you liked these constellation map posters, you might want to check out some of my other free astronomical posters and maps to download including John Bevis vintage Zodiac star charts.

Laura

Saturday 16th of October 2021

Smashing; thank you!

claire

Saturday 16th of October 2021

Thank you so much.

Wynne

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

Thank you so much for sharing these, I love them! Can you please tell me if they’re copyright-free?

claire

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

Thank you, yes they are copyright free as they are in the Public Domain because of their age.

Pam

Monday 24th of February 2020

Thank you for sharing, these are lovely.

claire

Monday 24th of February 2020

Thank you, glad you enjoyed them.

Rebecca

Monday 8th of July 2019

I love these Claire! My husband is into astronomy, and framing some of these prints would make a great gift. Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!

claire

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Thank you, I think they would look great framed.

Cecilia

Sunday 7th of July 2019

These are so interesting, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

claire

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Thank you, Cecilia.