In 1647, the astronomer and brewer Johannes Hevelius of Gdańsk transformed our view of the Moon with Selenographia, the first detailed lunar atlas. Nearly 400 years later, the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford have brought this landmark work online through a full, high-resolution digitisation now freely accessible to audiences worldwide.

Described by Bodleian archivist Małgorzata Czepiel as “a treasure on several levels,” Selenographia combines meticulous scientific observation with remarkable engravings made by Hevelius himself. Its 111 plates reveal a richly detailed lunar landscape and introduced names still used in modern astronomy.

Hevelius created the atlas from his self-built rooftop observatory, the “Star Castle,” where he spent years observing the Moon through handmade telescopes and engraving his findings. The Bodleian’s unique presentation copy – gifted by Hevelius in 1649 – was digitised with support from the Polish Ball, the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, and a private donation from Karol Sieniuc.

On 29-30 October 2025, the Polish Cultural Institute in London was proud to support an inspiring series of events in Oxford celebrating Janus Hevelius – the pioneering 17th-century astronomer from Gdańsk – in collaboration with Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries and as part of the IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival.

To mark the digitisation, the Bodleian hosted Mapping the Moon, a two-day programme featuring a public lecture, an exhibition of the original 1647 edition, a Moon-inspired concert, and family workshops where children handled real lunar rock and a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite.

With more than 1.3 million images now available through Digital Bodleian, the release of Selenographia is a major step in preserving rare works and opening them up to global audiences.

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