The back contains 6 scales of the following types:
| Type (click to view scale details) |
Range & Units | Numbered | Geometry | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 0 - 90, Degrees of arc | Every 5 degrees | Circular, concentric | outermost scale on the front of the limb |
| Zodiacal signs | 0 - 30, Zodiacal divisions, equal or unequal | Every 5 | Circular, concentric | Circular scale immediately inside the outer scale - refers to the full circle |
| Calendar | Days of year | Every 5 days | Circular, eccentric | None |
| Shadow square | 0 - 12, Fingers | Every 3 fingers | Box | Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL) |
| Shadow square | 0 - 12, Fingers | Every 3 fingers | Box | Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR) |
| Shadow square | 0 - 12, Fingers | Every 3 fingers | Box | Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL) |
| Shadow square | 0 - 12, Fingers | Every 3 fingers | Box | Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR) |
| Unequal hours | 0 - 12, 1/12 of daylight | Every 1 hours | Arc | Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales) |
| Unequal hours | 0 - 12, 1/12 of daylight | Every 1 hours | Arc | Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales) |
| Transcription | Translation | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| HENRI. IVLI. D. G. P. E. H. E. / D. BRVNSVIC. E. LVNEB. ETC. | Henricus Julius, Bishop of Halberstadt, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, etc. | This inscription encircles the Duke's coat of arms. | Dedication |
| IOHANN[IS] KRABBEN. ASTROLABIVM. Cum Gra. et Priuile. Cæsar. Maij: WOLFFERBŸTÆ | Astrolabe by Johannes Krabbe of Wolfenbüttel. With the Grace and Privilege of the Great Emperor | Maker's signature | |
| FACIEBAT JOHANNES KRABBE MVNDENSIS. ANNO M.D. LXXXIII | Johannes Krabbe of Munden made this in the year 1583 | Maker's signature | |
| Si Deus pronobis quis contra nos. 16 [09] | If God [is] for us who [is] against us. 1609 | Presumably the Duke of Brunswick's motto, accompanying the coat of arms | Motto |