Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1068 (A.H. 460)
Maker Ibrahīm ibn Sa'īd as-Sahlī
Place Toledo
Material Brass
Inventory no. 55331
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
Degree 0 - 90, Degrees of arc Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric The entire outer circle on the back of an astrolabe.
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, eccentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Solar cycle Days of year  days Inner Circular, concentric First circle within shadow square.
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
صنعه ٳبراهيم بن سعيد السهلي بمدينة طليطلة في شوال سنة تص الهجري The work of Ibrāhīm ibn Saʿīd as-Sahlī in the city of Toledo in Shawwāl in A.H. 460. Maker's signature
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science