Difference between revisions of "Astrolabe"
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Astrolabes usually consisted of a flat disc with a sighting rod that could be pivoted to point at the [[Sun]] or bright stars. From the altitude of the Sun or star above the horizon, the local time could be estimated. <ref>A presentation for the Man & Technology Course (ES103) @ SUNY Farmingdale,by Gary Agranat & Dave Delligati, Fall 1980.</ref> Astrolabes were usually constructed of light metals, such as [[copper]] or [[zinc]], however elaborate ornamental gold and silver astrolabes were created for wealthy rulers such as [[Pope Alexander VI]] and [[Suleiman the Magnificent]]. | Astrolabes usually consisted of a flat disc with a sighting rod that could be pivoted to point at the [[Sun]] or bright stars. From the altitude of the Sun or star above the horizon, the local time could be estimated. <ref>A presentation for the Man & Technology Course (ES103) @ SUNY Farmingdale,by Gary Agranat & Dave Delligati, Fall 1980.</ref> Astrolabes were usually constructed of light metals, such as [[copper]] or [[zinc]], however elaborate ornamental gold and silver astrolabes were created for wealthy rulers such as [[Pope Alexander VI]] and [[Suleiman the Magnificent]]. | ||
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| + | '''''Astrolabe''''' is the name of the [[France|French]] [[Antarctic]] research and re-supply vessel, based in [[Hobart]], [[Tasmania]]. Before that, it was the name of one of the vessels used by [[La Perouse]] in his ill-fated voyage of discovery into the [[Pacific]] in 1885/88. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 04:13, October 13, 2012
The astrolabe was a compact round disc used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant. It was the most widely used astronomical instrument of the Islamic and Medieval periods.
Astrolabes usually consisted of a flat disc with a sighting rod that could be pivoted to point at the Sun or bright stars. From the altitude of the Sun or star above the horizon, the local time could be estimated. [1] Astrolabes were usually constructed of light metals, such as copper or zinc, however elaborate ornamental gold and silver astrolabes were created for wealthy rulers such as Pope Alexander VI and Suleiman the Magnificent.
Astrolabe is the name of the French Antarctic research and re-supply vessel, based in Hobart, Tasmania. Before that, it was the name of one of the vessels used by La Perouse in his ill-fated voyage of discovery into the Pacific in 1885/88.
References
- ↑ A presentation for the Man & Technology Course (ES103) @ SUNY Farmingdale,by Gary Agranat & Dave Delligati, Fall 1980.