Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date 1712/13 (A.H. 1124)
Maker ‘Abd al-A’imma
Place Iṣfahān
Material Brass
Inventory no. 40744
Acquisition Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Back



The back contains 9 scales of the following types:
Type
(click to view scale details)
Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Lunar position 0 - 180, None Every 6  Arc Upper right quadrant (inside circular scales)
Sine/Cosine 1/60 of quadrant radius Not numbered  Angle Upper left quadrant (inside circular scales)
Cotangent 0 - 35, Feet Every 5 feet Circular, concentric Lower left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Cotangent 0 - 50, Fingers Every 5 fingers Circular, concentric Lower right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Shadow square 0 - 7, Feet Every 1 feet Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 7, Feet Every 1 feet Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 1 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 0 - 12, Fingers Every 1 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
The back is inscribed:
Transcription Translation Notes Type
صنعه عبد الائمة المحتاج ٳلى رحمة ربه الغني Made by ʿAbd al-Aʾimmah, who needs the mercy of his Lord, the self-sufficient. Inscription in cartouche below shadow square Maker's signature
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