Mystery Manuscript Celestial Calculations

Three manuscript celestial maps, each on a large sheet of paper, drawn by an anonymous hand.

Each map is drawn on a hemispheric model and includes pencil annotations locating constellations, each of which is named and numbered, along with occasional letters noting the size of the principal stars. In the margins of the rings, the months of the year, symbols for the signs of the zodiac and the Roman numbers 1 to 24 are written in pencil.

On the first sheet, there is also a model for pointer and rotating measuring devices. A pencil note states "Stars epoch 1600. Date about 1550-1600." At the top left, "Inv. 187-11".

On the second sheet, the elliptical movements of the constellations across 12 months is also tracked. A note at the top left states "Inv. 1919-462. 3 plates, Thuli or Triplate altitudes every 3°, azimuths every 10°, date about 1490? / T HC. 56 m/mR."

On the third sheet, the elliptical movements of the constellations across 12 months is also tracked. A note includes the date 1877-8 and a number of pencil calculations.

The maps are clearly the work of a serious astronomer and worthy of further research.