Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge. Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1538
Maker Johann Wagner
Place Nuremberg
Material Brass
Inventory no. 40443
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back


In the centre of the unequal-hour diagram is a large coat of arms. On each side of the coat of arms is an upper case 'R'.

The back contains 6 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 and end of month days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Unequal hours 1 - 12, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc The upper two quadrants of the back of the instrument
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