Astrolabe Catalogue

 
astrolabe, inventory number 37321 from Iṣfahān, ca.1715
thumbnail for astrolabe (front), inventory number 37321 from Iṣfahān, ca.1715
thumbnail for astrolabe (back), inventory number 37321 from Iṣfahān, ca.1715
thumbnail for astrolabe (rete front), inventory number 37321 from Iṣfahān, ca.1715
Dateca.1715
Maker‘Abd al-A’imma
PlaceIṣfahān
MaterialBrass
Inventory no.37321
AcquisitionPresented by Lewis Evans in 1924

View all images for this astrolabe
View detailed provenance for this astrolabe

Throne, Ring and Shackle

The throne is of the indo-persian, engraved type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass and has a simple, round cross-section ring made of brass and omega type shackle made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The tab to hold the tympans in place is located at the bottom of the instrument, 180° from the throne.. Scales on the limb: declination scale. More information

Back

The back contains 13 scales of the following types: Altitude; Declination; Sine/Cosine; Cotangent; Terms; Zodiacal signs; Faces; Lunar Mansions; Shadow square. The back is inscribed: with a maker's signature marked as صنعه عبد الائمة (Made by ʿAbd al-Aʾimmah.). Inscription in cartouche within shadow square. More information

Rete, Pin & Horse

The rete contains 0 stars. The zodiac on the rete is labelled: حمل , ثور , جوزا , سرطان , اسد , سنبله , ميزان , عقرب , قوس , جدي , دلو , حوت .
The rete is attached using a pin & horse. More information

Plates

There are 4 plates with latitudes ranging from 22°0' to 38°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type Details
AlidadeDouble-ended. The rule is not original. The alidade does not appear to be original - the brass has a different sheen to it and the general construction seems at odds with the rest of the instrument..
More information

 

MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science