Selenographia - Lunar Map

by Johannes Hevelius

About this artwork

Hevelius's groundbreaking map of the Moon from his Selenographia, the first lunar atlas. This map shows the Moon's surface features with unprecedented detail based on telescopic observations. Craters, mountains, and maria (lunar seas) are carefully depicted and labeled. The map represents a major advance in astronomical observation and cartography. Hevelius created his own nomenclature for lunar features, though many names were later replaced by Riccioli's system. The map includes multiple views showing different phases and librations of the Moon. Decorative elements include astronomical instruments and allegorical figures. This work established lunar cartography as a scientific discipline and influenced all subsequent Moon mapping until the space age.