Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of complete astrolabe as rete cannot be removed from mater. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1300 (?)
Place Sicily
Material Gilt brass
Inventory no. 40829
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924
The rete is of the other (ornate) type. This rete is unusual in the collection. It combines the typical southern projection of the summer signs with a northern projection of the winter signs. The result is that the eclpitic fold back upon itself; all the signs are on the same arc below the central horizontal line.The zodiac on the rete is labelled: ARIĒ , TAṼ , GĒ , CĀ , LEO , VIRḠ , LIBRA , SCOR , SAḠ , CAP , AQR , PISCE

Scales


Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Ecliptic 0 - 30 Degrees of ecliptic Not numbered  Ecliptic ecliptic

Stars

There are 4 stars on the rete marked with foliate pointers. Unless otherwise indicated the star name, mediation and declination are as marked/measured on the rete.
Click on the star name or modern star name to search for other astrolabes with the same star.
Star name
(on instrument)		 Modern star
(if known)		 Mediation Declination Pointer
[not labeled] Aldebaran pointer damaged pointer damaged foliate
[not labeled] Altair pointer damaged pointer damaged foliate
[not labeled] Regulus pointer damaged pointer damaged foliate
[not labeled] Rasalhague pointer damaged pointer damaged foliate

Rivet

The rete is attached using a rivet. The pin appears to be a rivet with a star-shaped head on the front.
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