# Celestial Globe

- By: Willem Janszoon Blaeu (Alkmaar, 1571–1638)
- Date: 1645 - 1648
- Medium: copper (metal), paper, wood (plant material), gypsum
- Classification: globe
- Dimensions: diameter 68 cm
- Credit line: On loan from private collectors
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/NG-C-2014-2-2--3a3f934f4275140caa1e6af8efeea4a5)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/EkhHZ/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

In the 17th century globes were often sold in pairs: a terrestrial and a celestial one. For thousands of years, shipmasters relied on constellations to navigate at sea. Accordingly, cartographers asked the shipmasters to record their astronomical observations. On that basis, globes like this one were made. They were not meant to be taken on sea voyages, but served as precious objects for the wealthy and scientists.