Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1595
Place Paris (?)
Material Brass
Inventory no. 45975
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back



The back contains 5 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees of arc Every 10 degrees Circular, concentric outermost scale on the front of the limb
Zodiacal signs 0 - 30, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal Every 10  Circular, concentric Circular scale immediately inside the outer scale - refers to the full circle
Unequal hours 1 - 12, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales)
Unequal hours 1 - 12, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM IN SECVLA SECVLORVM 1595 Hallowed be Thy name for all eternity, 1595 In the center of this inscription is 'IHS', a cross and a pierced heart Prayer
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science