Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1590
Maker Johann Anton Linden (?)
Place Heilbronn (?)
Material Gilt brass
Inventory no. 48380
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back



The back contains 6 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
Calendar Days of year  days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Unequal hours 1/12 of daylight Not numbered hours Arc Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales)
Unequal hours 1/12 of daylight Not numbered hours Arc Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales)
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