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Astrolabe

UnknownLate 18th century

National Museum - New Delhi

National Museum - New Delhi
New Delhi , India

Astronomers and astrologers used the astrolabe for studying the altitude of celestial bodies. The provision of a simple sighting device made it possible to calculate the elevation of a particular star or of the sun. This enabled one to determine the time and indicate the direction. The instrument consists of a solid body, the mater, into which fit a series of planets and a revolving circular web-like star map, called the ‘rete’ in Europe and the ‘ankabut’ (spider) in the Islamic world. The various elements, supplemented by a sighting vane (the alidade), on the back of the instrument, were held together by a pin. Both these astrolabes have many round discs, fixed in round frames having many discs with inscriptions indicating the position of stars and planets. The mater is inscribed from inside with the names of different places like Alexandria, Al-Balad, Noorpur, Madin-al-Hekma, Madina-e-Rassol, Mecca Mubarak, Basrah etc.

Details

  • Title: Astrolabe
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date: Late 18th century
  • Location: North India
  • Physical Dimensions: L:21.0; W:15.4 cm
  • Original Language: Arabic
  • Medium: Brass
  • Technique: Casting and Engraving
  • Script: Naskh
  • Accession Number: 56.155/2 a

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