Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1600
Maker François Morillard
Place Narbonne
Material Gilt brass
Inventory no. 53966
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

Back



The back contains 11 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 10  Circular, concentric Circular scale immediately inside the outer scale - refers to the full circle
Calendar Days of year  days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Windrose None   Circular, concentric Circular scale third in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Dominical letter 1600 - 1627, None   Circular, concentric First circle within shadow square.
Solar cycle 1600 - 1627, None   Circular, concentric Second circle within shadow square.
Golden number 1600 - 1618, None   Circular, concentric Third circle within shadow square.
Epact 1600 - 1618, None   Circular, concentric Forth circle within shadow square.
Perpetual calendar None   Circular, concentric Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales)
Perpetual calendar None   Circular, concentric Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 2 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
Fr. Morillard Lugdunen. faciebat Narb. Anno M.VIc Fr. Morillard of Lugdunen made it at Narbonne, 1600 Maker's signature
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