Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Front of astrolabe without rete or plates. Click to enlarge
Date 18th century (?)
Place Persia
Material Brass
Inventory no. 49300
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Throne

The throne is of the indo-persian, pierced type . The throne is attached with a integrated base. The throne is topped with a trefoil tab to which the shackle is attached.

Ring

The ring is of the simple, squared cross-section type (i.e. a simple ring made from a round rod or piece of metal).

Shackle

Shackle of the omega type (i.e. Ω-shaped shackle). A flat, cello-shaped tab connects the shackle to the throne.

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The tab that holds the plates from rotatins is located at the bottom of the instrument, i.e., 180° from the throne. Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree 0 - 360 Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric None

Womb


The gazetteer in the womb is incomplete. The table has been engraved for 48 cities. The womb contains a gazetteer with coordinates for 17 cities:
City
(on instrument)
Translation
(when known)
Longitude Latitude Inhiraf Jihat
مكه Mecca 77°20 21°40 [blank]
رى Rayy 86°20 35°00 33°26
موصل Mosul 77°20 34°30 0°40
نخجوان Nakhijewan 81°18 35°40 12°55
تبريز Tabriz 82°05 38°00 15°39
اردبيل Ardabil 82°30 38°00 14°22
بغداد Baghdad 82°00 33°25 21°13
شيراز Shiraz 88°00 29°36 13°26
اصفهان Isfahan 86°40 32°25 40°31
كشان Kashan 86°00 34°00 34°33
سبزوار Sabzawar 91°30 36°05 44°08
نيشابور Nishapur 92°30 36°21 46°22
طوس Ṭus 92°30 37°00 55°04
هراة Herat 94°20 34°30 54°36
قزوين Qazvin 89°00 36°55 27°34
استراباد Asterabad 89°35 36°05 18°04
همدان Hamadan 83°00 35°10 22°36
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