In the 1800s, creating astronomical images was more an art than it is today and the New York Public Library is digitally preserving a series of stunning images created by the by French-born artist Etienne Leopold Trouvelot.
here, Trouvelot's chromolithograph of a group of sun spots and veiled spots. Observed on June 17, 1875.
A chromolithograph of Aurora Borealis. As observed March 1, 1872.
A chromolithograph of the partial eclipse of the moon. Observed October 24, 1874.
A chromolithograph of the planet Saturn. Observed on November 30, 1874.
A chromolithograph of part of the Milky Way. From a study made during the years 1874, 1875 and 1876.
A chromolithograph of the great nebula in Orion. From a study made in the years 1875-76.
A chromolithograph of solar protuberances. Observed on May 5, 1873.
A chromolithograph of the total eclipse of the sun. Observed July 29, 1878.
A chromolithograph of the zodical light. Observed February 20, 1876.
A chromolithograph of Mare Humorum. From a study made in 1875.
A chromolithograph of the planet Mars. Observed September 3, 1877.
A chromolithograph of the planet Jupiter, observed Nov. 1, 1880, at 9:30 p.m. The piece of art reveals Jupiter's Great Red Spot, akin to a hurricane on Earth, which has been raging on the planet for hundreds of years.
A chromolithograph of the great comet of 1881 by Trouvelot
A chromolithograph of the November meteors. As observed between midnight and 5 a .m. on the night of November 13-14 1868.
A chromolithograph of star clusters in Hercules. From a study made in June, 1877.