Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1590
Maker Erasmus Habermel
Place Prague (?)
Material Gilt copper
Inventory no. 38097
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

Back



The back contains 9 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree 0 - 90, Degrees Every 10 degrees Circular, concentric The entire outer circle on the back of an astrolabe.
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 First day of month - Last day of month, Days of year Every 10 days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Saints' Days Days of year  days Circular, concentric Circular scale third in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Unequal hours 1 - 12, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc The upper two quadrants of the back of the instrument
Shadow square 1 - 60, None Every 10  Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 60, None Every 10  Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 1 - 60, None Every 10  Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 60, None Every 10  Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Planetary hours 1 - 12, None Every 1  Inner Box None
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box All four sides of the shadow square, commonly found in the lower half of the center of the instrument.
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
Erasmus Habermel fe: Erasmus Habermel made this This inscription is found below the ornament underneath the shadow square Maker's signature
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