description Dentalium Overview
Dentalium was an obsolete constellation proposed by John Hill in 1754. Hill used the Latin name for tusk shells and placed the figure in the sky between Aquila and Aquarius, using stars that modern maps assign to those surrounding constellations. The proposal belonged to Hill's short-lived scheme of new constellations and was never adopted by the International Astronomical Union, so Dentalium has no status in modern astronomy. [Former constellations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_constellations)
help Dentalium FAQ
What did the obsolete constellation Dentalium represent?
Dentalium represented a tusk shell, reflected in the Latin name for the shell group. It was a proposed constellation rather than a modern official one.
Who proposed Dentalium?
John Hill proposed Dentalium in 1754. The idea was part of his attempt to add figures to areas of the sky that earlier maps had left without separate constellations.
Where was Dentalium placed in the sky?
Hill placed Dentalium between Aquila and Aquarius. The stars he used are now mapped as parts of those surrounding constellations and nearby regions.
Is Dentalium recognized by modern astronomers?
No. Dentalium is an obsolete constellation and is not one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
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