Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe back with rules or alidades removed. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1800
Place North Africa
Material Brass
Inventory no. 41460
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

Back



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 Upper right quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
Altitude 0 - 90, Degrees of arc Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric Upper left quadrant of outer circular on back of instrument.
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 First day of month - Last day of month, Days of year Every 5 days Circular, concentric Circular scale second in from the outer scale - refers to the full circle.
Unequal hours 1 - 6, 1/12 of daylight Every 1 hours Arc The upper two quadrants of the back of the instrument
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand vertical 'face' of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand vertical face of the shadow square (in LR)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Left hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LL)
Shadow square 1 - 12, Fingers Every 3 fingers Box Right hand bottom face of the shadow square (in LR)
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