Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Complete front of astrolabe including rete. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1350
Place Oxford
Material Brass
Inventory no. 47901
Acquisition Lent by Oriel College, Oxford, in 1924


Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The limb of this instrument is nothing more than the outer edge of the single plate. Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Equal hours 1 - 24 Times of day Every 1 hours Circular, concentric None
Degree 0 - 360 Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric None

Womb


The womb is engraved for 51°; there are no other tympans for this instrument.

Almucantars

Divisions Labelled Style
Divided every 2° from 0° to 30° Labelled every 2° with   (Gothic) numerals Plain line.
Divided every 3° from 30° to 60° Labelled every 3° with   (Gothic) numerals Plain line.
Divided every 5° from 60° to 90° Labelled every 5° with   (Gothic) numerals Plain line.

Azimuths

Divisions Labelled Style
Divided every 15°  Labelled every 15° with   (Gothic) numerals Plain line.

Circles

Type Labelled Style Notes
Equator Plain line. Engraved only below the horizon
Tropic of Capricorn Plain line.

Lines

Type Labelled Description
Unequal hours Numbered (Numbers in Numbers, engraved script) (Gothic), Plain line style.
Meridian line
Horizon rectus
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science