Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1609
Maker Johann Krabbe
Place Germany
Material Wood
Inventory no. 44745
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back


Centered below the shadow square there is a drawn compass indicating north..

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)
The back is inscribed:
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
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