SCENOGRAPHY OF THE BRAHEAN

WORLDLY COMPACT

A detailed, hand-colored celestial diagram illustrating the Tychonic system of the universe. In this geocentric-heliocentric hybrid model, the Earth is positioned at the center, surrounded by a map of Europe, Africa, and Asia (labeled Europe, Africa, Asia, and Indian Ocean). The Earth is immediately orbited by the Moon (Luna). Surrounding the Earth are the concentric orbits of Mercury (Mercurius), Venus (Venus), and the Sun (Sol). The Sun, in turn, acts as the center for the orbits of the outer planets: Mars (Mars), Jupiter (Iupiter), and Saturn (Saturnus). This entire system is enclosed within a large celestial sphere. The sphere's orientation is defined by the vertical "SOLSTITIAL COLURE" and "AXIS OF THE WORLD", and the diagonal "EQUINOCTIAL COLURE". Major celestial circles are labeled: Arctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Antarctic Circle. A broad, colorful diagonal band represents the "ZODIAC", featuring illustrations and names for the twelve signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The outer rim of the entire diagram is marked with the cardinal directions: North at the top, South at the bottom, East at the right, and West at the left. The diagram is framed with artistic flourishes. At the top, two golden eagles hold up large pink banners containing the main titles. Cherubs and putti drift among the clouds surrounding the sphere. At the bottom corners sit two allegorical female figures. The figure on the left (likely Urania) is surrounded by children, books, and a compass. The figure on the right holds an astrolabe and sits near a celestial globe and scientific instruments.

This map, often attributed to Andreas Cellarius from his "Harmonia Macrocosmica" (1660), depicts the world system of Tycho Brahe, where the Sun orbits the Earth while the other planets orbit the Sun.