Menu
 Introduction
 Catalogue
 Essay
 Handlist
 Museums
 Makers
 Bibliography
 Places
 Conventions
 Articles
 Credits
 Glossary
 Help
 Search
 Index
 Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

115 to 137 of 227 glossary terms
magnitudes: numbers in a scale of the relative brightnesses of the stars, 1 being the brightest.
mariner's astrolabe: altitude-measuring instrument for finding latitude at sea, having a heavy brass or bronze ring, suspended by a shackle and ring, with a degree scale and a centrally-pivoted alidade.
mater: part of an astrolabe, see article on the astrolabe.
mathematical compendium: compound instrument for performing various functions in practical mathematics.
mathematical instruments: collections of instruments of assorted kinds for performing functions in practical mathematics.
measuring rod: an instrument used to measure distances or depths. See also gauging rod.
measuring rods: see measuring rod.
meridian: the plane containing the observer and both celestial poles, or containing the observer, the zenith and the pole, or, more colloquially, the north-south line at a particular position on the earth.
meridian circle: circular scale of degrees which in use is aligned with the meridian.
mining instruments: in this period mining instruments were principally for surveying, adapted for the special conditions of working underground in mines.
nautical circle: generic term for a circular mathematical instrument of use in navigation, but likely to carry a range of mathematical and astronomical scales.
nautical hemisphere: a combination of graduated arcs and circles used for navigational calculations, see article on the nautical hemisphere.
navicula dial: type of altitude dial in the shape of a ship.
nocturnal: instrument for finding the time at night from the orientation of the stars, see article on the nocturnal.
nocturnal and quadrant: compound instrument which combines both the functions of a nocturnal and quadrant, usually on two different sides of the same instrument, with equal importance given to each.
nocturnal and sundial: compound instrument which combines both the functions of a nocturnal and sundial, usually on two different sides of the same instrument, with equal importance given to each.
nonius: a way of subdividing a quadrant of a circle to provide fine discrimination of parts of degrees, comparable in purpose to the later vernier scale. The name comes from the latinized surname of the 16th-century Portuguese mathematician Pedro Nu?ez.
Nuremberg hours: system of hour reckoning, see article on time and date.
octant: the eighth part of a circle or an instrument measuring up to 45 degrees.
old quadrant: type of horary quadrant, see article on the quadrant.
opposition: two planets 180? from each other in the ecliptic are said to be in opposition. This relative position had important astrological significance.
ordinary hours: system of hour reckoning, see article on time and date.
orthographic planisphere: flat map produced by orthographic projection.
Previous Next || First Last 
Show 5 | 10 | 20 | 50 | 100 | 227 terms at a time
|| Introduction || Essay || Museums || Bibliography || Conventions || Credits || Privacy || Help ||
|| Catalogue entries || Handlist || Makers || Places || Articles |Glossary |Search || Home ||