Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe rete separated from astrolabe. Click to enlarge.
Date early 18th century
Maker ’Abd al-’Alī
Place Persia
Material Brass
Inventory no. 37940
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
The rete is of the foliate (plain) type. This rete is problematic. The star pointers are nearly symmetrical about the center-line. They are not named, though there are some names engraved on the Tropic of Capricorn band and rarely correspond to the correct star, e.g., قلب الاسد (Qalb al-Asad) which should be located in Leo, is apparently in Scorpio. The ecliptic is not graduated nor are the divisions between the signs indicated. Consequently, the signs begin well removed from where they should, e.g., Capricorn is displaced at least 15°..A bird in the center of the ecliptic, supposedly indicating the star VegaThe zodiac on the rete is labelled: الحمل , الثور , الجوزا , السرطان , الاسد , السنبله , الميزان , العقرب , القوس , الجدي , الدلو , الحوت

Stars

There are 0 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

Pin & Horse

The rete is attached using a pin & horse. The horse is missing..
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