Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Front of astrolabe without rete or plates. Click to enlarge
Date 1558
Maker Jacobus Valerius (?)
Place Zaragosa
Material Brass
Inventory no. 48892
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Throne

The throne is of the simple type . The throne is attached with a integrated base.

Ring

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

Shackle

Shackle of the other type (i.e. unusual or unique shackle). The shackle is a complex design, with a barrel that pivots inside a square column.

Mater

The mater and limb are of two pieces, soldered construction. . Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Equal hours 1 - 12 Times of day Every 1 hours Circular, concentric outer
Degree 0 - 360 Degrees Every 10 degrees Circular, concentric outer2

The limb is inscribed:
Content Translation Notes Type
AVSTER South wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
AVSTERAFRIC9 South-west wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
LIBS West-south-west wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
ZEPHIRVS West wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
ARGESTIS West-north-west wind In classical Latin, Argestis was the West south-west wind. Here it clearly has to be the West north-west wind. This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
CIRCIVS West-north-west wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
SEPTENTRIO North wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
AQVILO North north-east wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
HELESPONTI9 North-east wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
SVBSOLAN9 East wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
VVLTVRN9 South-east wind This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction
EVROAVSTER South south-east wind In classical Latin, Euroauster would indicate the south-east wind. This inscription is found on the edge of the limb Direction

Womb


The womb contains a detailed set of astronomical and astrological tables. These tables were never finished.
The womb contains 3 scales of the following types:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Eclipses 1558 - 1570 Each year  Circular, concentric None
Golden number 1 - 19 Every 1  Circular, concentric None
Lunar-solar conjuctions First year of epact - Last year of epact   Circular, concentric None
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