Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date early 18th century (?)
Maker Faḍl ‘Alī
Place Persia
Material Brass
Inventory no. 38235
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back



The back contains 11 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Equal hours 1 - 6, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales)
Dastūr Circle None Not numbered  Arc Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales)
Zodiacal signs Aries - Pisces, Zodiacal sign Not numbered  Inner Circular, concentric half circle inside the outer circle (on mashriqi astrolabes) - covering LL and LR
Terms 0° Aries - 30° Pisces, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal At each term  Inner Circular, concentric half circle inside the V circle (on mashriqi astrolabes) - covering LL and LR
Lunar Mansions 0° Aries - 30° Pisces, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal Not numbered  Inner Circular, concentric half circle inside the VI circle (on mashriqi astrolabes) - covering LL and LR
Faces 0° Aries - 30° Pisces, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal At each face  Inner Circular, concentric half circle inside the VII circle (on mashriqi astrolabes) - covering LL and LR
Shadow square 1 - 7, Feet Every 1 feet Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 7, Feet Every 1 feet Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square Fingers Not numbered fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square Fingers Not numbered fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science