Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1542
Maker Georg Hartmann
Place Nuremberg
Material Wood
Inventory no. 49296
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back


Arms of Nuremberg are contained within the shadow square.

The back contains 8 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric The entire outer circle on the back of an astrolabe.
Zodiacal signs X - XXX, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal Every 10  None Circular scale immediately inside the outer scale - refers to the full circle
Calendar 0 - 30, Days of year Every 5 days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Unequal hours 1 - 12, 1/12 of daylight Every hours Angle None
Shadow square 0 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Feet Every 3 feet Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
GEORGIVS HARTMAN NOREMBERGE, FACIEBAT ANNO MDXXXXII Maker's signature
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