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Custos Messium

The Keeper of the Harvest

Abbreviation:Cus
Genitive:Custodis Messoris
Origin:Joseph Jérôme de Lalande, 1775

Joseph Jérôme de Lalande (1732–1807) was a French astronomer, perhaps best known for his work in planetary theory. He proposed several constellations, none of which survive to this day. Custos Messium, the keeper of the harvest, was one of these. It is located near the north celestial pole, in the region now occupied by Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus.

This constellation is sometimes punningly referred to as Messier in honour of the famed comet hunter.

The extinct constellation of Custos Messium