Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Small image of astrolabe rete separated from astrolabe. Click to enlarge.
Date ca. 1370
Place England (?)
Material Brass
Inventory no. 49359
Acquisition Presented by A. E. Gunther in 1986
The rete is of the y-shaped (low) type. Three zoomorphic features: Vega is indicated by a bird-shaped star pointer. Sirius is indicated by a star pointer shaped like a dog's head. A dragon's head points to AntaresThe zodiac on the rete is labelled: Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittari9 , Capricorn9 , Aquari9 , Pisces

Scales


Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Ecliptic 0 - 30 Degrees of ecliptic Every 10  Ecliptic ecliptic

Stars

There are 19 stars on the rete marked with flamant 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
Aldebaran Aldebaran pointer damaged pointer damaged flamant
Rigil Rigel pointer damaged pointer damaged flamant
Batncatos Baten Kaitos pointer damaged pointer damaged flamant
Alfera Mirach 7.0° of Aries 36° flamant
alhaioc Capella 24.0° of Gemini 47° flamant
Alabor Sirius 6.0° of Cancer -14° flamant
Algomeo Procyon 20.0° of Cancer flamant
Cor leonis Regulus 28.0° of Leo flamant
Coruus Gienah 16.0° of Virgo -16° flamant
Cauda leonis Denebola 17.0° of Virgo 18° flamant
Aldrimek Spica 19.0° of Libra -14° flamant
Alramek Arcturus 2.0° of Scorpio 21° flamant
Alfeca Alphecca 15.0° of Scorpio 31° flamant
Alacrab Antares 0.0° of Sagittarius -23° flamant
Alhawe Rasalhague 18.0° of Sagittarius 14° flamant
Wega Vega 6.0° of Capricorn 38° flamant
Alteher Altair 23.0° of Capricorn flamant
Humer9 equi Scheat 13.0° of Aquarius 21° flamant
Denebalgedi Deneb Algiedi 13.0° of Aquarius -23° flamant

Pin & Wedge

The rete is attached using a pin & wedge. The wedge is, in fact, a small brad. It seems likely that the present brad is a replacement, given its small size.
MHS Home | Contact Us | ©2006 Museum of the History of Science