The search for comets, charged with astrological meaning, stimulated careful scrutiny and revision of maps of the stars. Lubieniecki collected an anthology of cometary reports, attempting to describe every known comet observed in Europe up to 1665. A comet which appeared in 1664-1665 prompted more than 40 reports from various observers, including Hevelius. Contributors’ reports took varying approaches to observation and artistic design. Some comet watchers took care with the aesthetic depiction of constellation figures. Others did not. Very few adopted Bayer’s star numbering system. Neither the style of constellation figures nor the names and boundaries of the constellations were consistent. The resulting theater of comets reflects the variety of astronomical practices and observers in 17th century Europe.