Exhibition: The Astrolabe, East and West


Eclipses and astrology

The purpose of the volvelle on the back of this unusual astrolabe is not entirely clear, but the ornament of the the head and tail of a dragon probably refers to the nodes of the moon (caput and cauda draconis, used in the computation of eclipses) which suggests that the volvelle had an astrological purpose.
Closeup of Astrolabe with Volvelle, 1613?  (Inv. 47367) Full image of Astrolabe with Volvelle, 1613? (Inv. 47367)
Astrolabe with Volvelle, 1613? (Inv. 47367)
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