description Rangifer Overview
Rangifer, also called Tarandus, was an obsolete northern constellation representing a reindeer. French astronomer Pierre Charles Le Monnier introduced it in 1736, placing it between Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis in the northern sky; its creation commemorated the Lapland expedition associated with Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis and geodetic measurements of Earth's shape. The constellation is not part of the modern 88-constellation system.
help Rangifer FAQ
What was Rangifer in historical astronomy?
Rangifer, also called Tarandus, was an obsolete northern constellation representing a reindeer. It is no longer one of the 88 modern constellations.
Who created the constellation Rangifer?
French astronomer Pierre Charles Le Monnier introduced Rangifer in 1736. He placed it between Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis.
Why did Pierre Charles Le Monnier introduce Rangifer?
The constellation commemorated the Lapland expedition. Its reindeer figure reflected the northern setting associated with that expedition.
Can Rangifer be found on modern star charts?
Rangifer is generally absent from modern official constellation lists because it was obsolete. Modern charts use the recognized constellation boundaries that replaced historical proposals such as Rangifer.
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