The astrolabe is an instrument used for astronomical and astrological calculations involving the sun and the stars. Islamic instruments are also often equipped for finding the times for daily prayers and with information for determining the direction of Mecca.
This is an unsigned and undated astrolabe made in North Africa, probably in the 14th century. The silver-studded star pointers on the rete are unusual and the latitude plates indicate that the range of use anticipated was from 21 to 45 degrees north.
Reference:
http://www.astrolabes.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe
Image via imgur
Very cool. I dig stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Corina Marinescu. :)
Me too...wish I was able to go everyday and visit a different museum...with secrets and things that have a story :)
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I've heard of these but never saw one. Sometimes I marvel at Google+ for my circles bring me such wonders every day and I feel like I am visiting museums with all the treasures.
ReplyDeleteMe too BJ Bolender , is like taking a walk in a different mind everyday, all kinds of preferences, knowledge and amazing photos =)
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm not. Do tell..=)
ReplyDeleteI also have heard but not seen one. I'm all ears as well if Lewin Edwards is willing to "tell" 😃
ReplyDeleteAwesome, thanks for sharing Lewin Edwards !
ReplyDeleteThe story behind John Harrison's Chronometer may be of interest. It helped solved the longitudinal problem with sailing when using celestial navigation. He lived about 30 miles from where I live
ReplyDeleteCome on Sam Collett ... I thought you're english, what's wrong with km's? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the story trip! =)
48 km then...
ReplyDeleteI love these sorts of devices. They represent wonderful things - craftsmanship, world and celestial knowledge, drive to explore and understand... I wish somebody would create a scrying device so I could look into it and watch the master engineer / artist at work creating it. ;)
ReplyDelete