The Messenger Astronomical News
A History of the Magellanic Clouds and the European Exploration of the Southern Hemisphere
No. 181 (September 2020), 37–42
The Magellanic Clouds were known before Magellan’s voyage exactly 500 years ago, and were not given that name by Magellan himself or his chronicler Antonio Pigafetta. They were, of course, already known by local populations in South America, such as the Mapuche and Tupi-Guaranis. The Portuguese called them Clouds of the Cape, and scientific circles had long used the names of Nubecula Minor and Major. We trace how and when the name Magellanic Clouds came into common usage by following the history of exploration of the southern hemisphere and the southern sky by European explorers — which ultimately led to the founding of ESO.
Cite this article:
Dennefeld, M.; A History of the Magellanic Clouds and the European Exploration of the Southern Hemisphere. The Messenger 181 (September 2020): 37–42. https://doi.org/10.18727/0722-6691/5210