Volans is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents a flying fish; its name is a shortened form of its original name, Piscis Volans. Volans was one of twelve constellations created by Petrus Plancius from the observations of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman and it first appeared on a 35-cm (14") diameter celestial globe published in 1597 in Amsterdam by Plancius with Jodocus Hondius. The first depiction of this constellation in a celestial atlas was in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603.
Volans as Piscis Volans (middle right) along with other constellations from Johann Bayer’s Uranometria
The constellation of Volans, the flying fish, as it can be seen by the naked eye
Petrus Plancius was a Dutch-Flemish astronomer, cartographer and clergyman. He was born as Pieter Platevoet in Dranouter, now in Heuvelland, West Flanders. He studied theology in Germany and England. At the age of 24 he became a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church.
Petrus Plancius Instructing Students in the Science of Navigation, by David Vinckboons
Orbis Terrarum 1594
Nova Francia .. Terra Nova 1592
Insulae Moluccae 1592