Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1224/5 (A.H. 621)
Maker Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī
Place Seville
Material Brass
Inventory no. 50934
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back



The back contains 7 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees of arc Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees of arc Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Zodiacal signs 0 - 30, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal Every 5  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.
Perpetual calendar Days of year  days Circular, concentric Circular scale third in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Cotangent 15 - 30, Fingers Every 3 fingers Circular, concentric Lower left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Cotangent 15 - 30, Fingers Every 3 fingers Circular, concentric Lower right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
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