Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Front of astrolabe without rete or plates. Click to enlarge
Date early 18th century
Maker ’Abd al-’Alī
Place Persia
Material Brass
Inventory no. 36247
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

Throne

The throne is of the indo-persian, engraved type . The throne is attached with a integrated base. The front is embossed with a quotation from the Qur'an. The back is decorated with a foliate pattern.. Markings:
Content Translation Notes Type
ٳن في اختلاف الليل والنهار لآيات لأولى الألبلب In the succession of night and day there are truly signs for the most deserving hearts. Qur'anic verse


Ring

The ring is of the simple, round cross-section type (i.e. simple plain ring made from a round rod or piece of metal).

Shackle

Shackle of the omega type (i.e. Ω-shaped shackle). .

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The tab that keeps the tympans in place is located at the bottom of the instrument, 180° from the throne.. Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree 0 - 360 Degrees of arc Every 5 degrees Circular, concentric None

Womb


Contains a gazeteer.. The womb contains a gazetteer with coordinates for 27 cities:
City
(on instrument)
Translation
(when known)
Longitude Latitude Inhiraf Jihat
اصفهان Iṣfahan 86°40 32°25 40°29 GHJ
كاشان Kashan 86°00 34°00 34°31 GHJ
قم Qom 85°40 34°45 31°15 GHJ
قزوين Qazvin 85°00 36°00 27°34 GHJ
همدان Hamadan 83°00 35°10 22°16 GHJ
ساوه Sawah 85°00 35°00 29°16 GHJ
يزد Yazd 89°00 32°00 48°28 GHJ
شيراز Shiraz 88°00 29°36 33°38 GHJ
شوشتر Shushtar 84°30 31°30 35°24 GHJ
بغداد Baghdad 80°00 33°25 12°45 GHJ
بصره Basr 84°00 30°00 37°19 GHJ
تبريز Tabriz 82°00 38°00 15°40 GHJ
اردبيل Ardabil 82°30 38°00 17°33 GHJ
مراغه Maragheh 82°00 37°20 36°17 GHJ
شماخى Shamakhi 84°30 40°50 20°09 GHJ
رى Rayy 86°20 34°00 36°26 GHJ
استراباد Asterabad 89°35 36°50 38°48 GHJ
سمنان Semnan 88°00 36°00 36°17 GHJ
دامغان Damghan 88°55 36°20 38°00 GHJ
بسطام Basṭam 89°30 36°10 39°13 GHJ
سبزوار Sabzawar 91°30 36°05 44°12 GHJ
نيشابور Nishapur 92°30 36°21 46°25 GHJ
مشهد Meshhad 92°30 37°00 45°06 GHJ
تون Tun 92°30 34°30 50°20 GHJ
قاين Qayen 93°20 33°40 14°01 GHJ
هراة Herat 94°20 34°30 14°08 GHJ
قنداهر Qandahar 107°40 33°00 75°00 GHJ
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science