Myths in the Sky: The Serpent-carrier and Sobeski's Shield

The Serpent-carrier (lat. Ophiuchus)

It is one of the most ancient constellations, which was presumably formed several thousand years В. C. The Greeks identified it with Asclepios — the god of medicine, who took part in the Argonauts' campaign as a ship's doctor. Asclepios holds a serpent in his hands, which later on became the emblem of medicine.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 15}

Sobeski's Shield (lat. Scutum)

In 1683 the King of the Poles, Jan Sobeski, defeated the Turkish army at Vienna. This event was solemnly marked not only in Poland, but in other European countries as well. Sobeski was called a heavenly envoy. J. Hevelius, whose research was patronized by the King, immortalized him by naming a new constellation after him.

^{Johannes Hevelius, atlas Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Map 16}