A hand-colored 17th-century engraving of a geocentric celestial system from Andreas Cellarius's "Harmonia Macrocosmica". The central image depicts a complex armillary-style model of concentric planetary spheres centered on the Earth. The spheres are rendered in vibrant colors (pink, yellow, blue, green). Surrounding the planetary spheres is a wide band representing the Zodiac, decorated with the names and figures of the constellations. At the top, two groups of cherubs hold banners with a divided title. At the bottom corners, two smaller circular diagrams compare the Ptolemaic and Tychonic (Brahean) systems. The surrounding background is filled with clouds, cherubs, and figures of astronomers using scientific instruments.

SCENOGRAPHY OF THE ORBS OF THE PLANETS

ENCOMPASSING THE EARTH.

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Zodiacal Signs (Outer Ring)

• SCORPIO
• CAPRICORN
• AQUARIUS
• PISCES
• ARIES
• TAURUS
• GEMINI
• CANCER
• LEO
• VIRGO
• LIBRA

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PTOLEMAIC HYPOTHESIS, in which the Earth is the center of the whole.

Small circular inset diagram illustrating the Ptolemaic geocentric model with Earth at the center and concentric orbits for the Moon, Sun, and planets.

• ORB OF THE MOON
• ORB OF MERCURY
• ORB OF VENUS
• ORB OF THE SUN
• ORB OF MARS
• ORB OF JUPITER
• ORB OF SATURN
• FIRMAMENT, THE SEAT OF THE FIXED STARS

BRAHEAN HYPOTHESIS, in which the center of the Moon and the Firmament is the Earth, and of the other five planets is the Sun.

Small circular inset diagram illustrating the Tychonic system, where the Moon and Sun revolve around the Earth, while the other planets revolve around the Sun.

• Orb of the Sun around the Earth and Moon
• Orb of Mars
• Orb of Jupiter
• Orb of Saturn
• FIRMAMENT, THE SEAT OF THE FIXED STARS