Star Lore Of All Ages/The Minor Constellations/Camelopardalis

by William Tyler Olcott

Camelopardalis
The Giraffe

The Giraffe, described as "a long, faint, and straggling" constellation, first appeared on the star map of Bartsch in 1640. It is also found in the catalogue of Hevelius published in 1690, as Camelopardalus.

Prof. E. C. Pickering tells us that the correct spelling according to the best classical authorities, both Greek and Latin, is Camelopardalis.

Bartsch wrote that the group represented to him the camel that brought Rebecca to Isaac.

The Chinese are said to have located seven asterisms within the borders of this star group.

According to Argelander the constellation contains eighty-four stars, none brighter than the fourth magnitude.