Coma Berenices first occurs as a distinct constellation in the catalogue contained in the Rudolphine Tables formed by Kepler (epoch 1600) from the observations of Tycho Brahé.[451] Bayer substituted a sheaf of corn, an idea derived from an ancient manuscript.
Leo Minor.—This small constellation lies between Ursa Major and Leo, and east of the Lynx. It was formed by Halley about the year 1660; but is referred to by Al-Sufi, who includes one of its stars (Fl. 41) in the “extern” stars of Leo. There are, however, several brighter stars in the group. The brightest, Fl. 46, was measured 3·92 at Harvard. The star Fl. 37 was called præcipua (or brightest) by Tycho Brahé, and rated 3, but as it was measured only 4·77 at Harvard it may possibly have diminished in brightness.
Sextans.—This constellation lies south of Leo, and north and east of Hydra. It was formed by Hevelius about the year 1680. According to the Harvard photometric measures its brightest star is Fl. 15 (4·50).
Monoceros, or the Unicorn, lies south of Gemini and Canis Minor, north of Canis Major and Argo, east of Orion, and west of Hydra. It appears on the planisphere of Bartschius, published in 1624. According to Scaliger it is shown on an old Persian sphere. One of its stars, Fl. 22, is mentioned by Al-Sufi among the “extern” stars of Canis Major (No. 1). Another, Fl. 30, is given under Hydra (“Extern” No. 1) and Fl. 8, 13, and 15 are apparently referred to in Gemini. The star 15 Monocerotis is a little south of ξ Geminorum, and was measured 4·59 magnitude at Harvard. It was at one time supposed to be variable with a short period (about 3½ days), but this variation has not been confirmed. The spectrum is of the fifth type—with bright lines—a very rare type among naked-eye stars. It is a triple star (5, 8·8, 11·2: 2″·9, 16″·3) and should be seen with a 4-inch telescope. It has several other small companions, one of which (139°·2: 75″·7) has been suspected of variation in light. It was estimated 8½ by Main in 1863, but only 12 by Sadler in 1875. Observing it on March 28, 1889, with 3-inch refractor, I found it about one magnitude brighter than a star closely preceding, and estimated it 8 or 8½ magnitude. It is probably variable and should be watched.
Scutum Sobieski.—This is, or was, a small constellation in the southern portion of Aquila, which was formed by Hevelius in 1660 in honour of the Polish hero Sobieski. Its principal stars, which lie south-west of λ Aquilæ, were mentioned by Al-Sufi and are referred to by him under that constellation. It contains a very bright spot of Milky Way light, which may be well seen in the month of July just below the star λ Aquilæ. Closely south of the star 6 Aquilæ is a remarkable variable star R Scuti (R.A. 18h 42m·2, S. 5° 49′). It varies from 4·8 to 7·8 with an irregular period. All the light changes can be observed with a good opera-glass.
Vulpecula, the Fox.—This modern constellation lies south of Cygnus, north of Sagitta and Delphinus, east of Hercules, and west of Pegasus. It was formed by Hevelius in 1660. One of its stars, 6 Vulpeculæ, is mentioned by Al-Sufi in describing the constellation Cygnus. Closely north-west of 32 Vulpeculæ is the short-period variable T Vulpeculæ. It varies from 5·5 to 6·2 magnitude, and its period is 4·436 days. This is an interesting object, and all the changes of light can be observed with an opera-glass.
Lacerta.—This little constellation lies south of Cepheus and north of Pegasus. Its formation was first suggested by Roger and Anthelm in 1679, and it was called by them “The Sceptre and the Hand of Justice.” It was named Lacerta by Hevelius in 1690, and this name it still retains. Al-Sufi seems to refer to its stars in his description of Andromeda, but does not mention any star in particular. It brightest star Fl. 7 (α Lacertæ) is about the 4th magnitude. About one degree south-west of 7 is 5 Lacertæ, a deep orange star with a blue companion in a fine field.
There are some constellations south of the Equator which, although above Al-Sufi’s horizon when on the meridian, are not described by him, as they were formed since his time. These are as follows:—
Sculptor.—This constellation lies south of Aquarius and Cetus, and north of Phœnix. Some of its stars are referred to by Al-Sufi under Eridanus as lying within the large triangle formed by β Ceti, Fomalhaut, and α Phœnicis. The brightest star is α, about 12° south of β Ceti (4·39 magnitude Harvard). About 7° south-east of α is the red and variable star R Sculptoris; variable from 6·2 to 8·8 magnitude, with a period of about 376 days. Gould describes it as “intense scarlet.” It has a spectrum of the fourth type.
Phœnix.—This constellation lies south of Sculptor. Some of its stars are referred to by Al-Sufi, under Eridanus, as forming a boat-shaped figure. These are evidently α, κ, μ, β, ν, and γ. α is at the south-eastern angle of Al-Sufi’s triangle referred to above (under “Sculptor”). (See Proctor’s Atlas, No. 3.)