Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe rete separated from astrolabe. Click to enlarge.
Date late 9th century
Maker Khafīf, apprentice of ‘Alī ibn ‘Īsā
Place Syria
Material Brass
Inventory no. 47632
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
The rete is of the indicator-line (simple) type. The east-west strap is not counterchanged. There is a single knob for rotating the rete. Just to the right of the pivot hole, a small rivet was inserted and polished flat..The zodiac on the rete is labelled: الحمل , الثور , الجوزا , السرطان , الاسد , السنبله , الميزان , العقرب , القوس , الجدي , الدلو , السمكه

Stars

There are 17 stars on the rete marked with dagger pointers. Unless otherwise indicated the star name, mediation and declination are as marked/measured on the rete.
Click on the star name or modern star name to search for other astrolabes with the same star.
Star name
(on instrument)
Modern star
(if known)
Mediation Declination Pointer
راس الغول Algol 1.0° of Taurus 37° dagger
الدبران Aldebaran 24.0° of Taurus 14° dagger
العيوق Capella 28.0° of Taurus 47° dagger
رجل الجوزا Rigel 7.0° of Gemini -10° dagger
منكب الجوزا Betelgeuse 15.0° of Gemini dagger
اليمانيه Sirius 0.0° of Cancer -15° dagger
الشاميه Procyon 8.0° of Cancer dagger
الاسد Regulus 12.0° of Leo 17° dagger
الرامح Arcturus 20.0° of Libra 26° dagger
الفكه Alphecca 14.0° of Scorpio 32° dagger
قلب العقرب Antares 20.0° of Scorpio -22° dagger
راس الحوا Rasalhague 11.0° of Sagittarius 12° dagger
الواقع Vega 2.0° of Capricorn 39° dagger
الطاير Altair 6.0° of Capricorn dagger
الدنب Deneb 1.0° of Aquarius 42° dagger
منكب الفرس Scheat 0.0° of Pisces 26° dagger
كف الخضب Caph 18.0° of Pisces 50° dagger

Horse Image:

astrolabe part (photo)

Pin & Wedge

The rete is attached using a pin & wedge. The head of the pin is decorated with radial lines..
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