Free Old Printable Constellation Map Posters To Download

This fabulous collection of vintage constellation map posters, celestial maps, and star charts features 88 known constellations. Constellation maps help astronomers 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

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

Many of the old constellation map posters feature 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. These gorgeous star maps would look fabulous framed on a gallery wall.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

10. 1661 Andreas Cellarius – Celestial Map

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

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.

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 including those by John Emslie and maps to download including John Bevis vintage Zodiac star charts.

• Vintage Zodiac Sign Pictures
• Wonderful Free Antique World Maps
• Cool Vintage North Pole Maps
• Vintage Maps of The United States
• Old Map of Britain