The Astrolabe - "The World's First Personal Computer"
" Even though the astrolabe is one of the world's oldest scientific instruments, it has never been equalled for providing a clear, concise picture of the heavens. A glance at a properly set astrolabe gives a complete snapshot of the sky at a particular time and place. The astrolabe is also an inherently beautiful device. Its graceful arcs and finely engraved components are both elegant and mysterious. It is a device of wonder to those who do not understand its simple elegance and a source of admiration to those who do. This very special instrument has excited people for two thousand years."
Taken from Jim Morrison's introduction to The Personal Astrolabe, this quotation summarises why astrolabes are such popular instruments. They continue to fascinate us, even in the modern computer age. They make beautiful ornaments for those who appreciate them just for their appearance, but also offer a challenge for those who wish to understand them.
Our replicas have an antique brass finish and represent some of the different types of Astrolabe used throughout the ages. All of them are fully working and can be used in the way that astrolabes have been used for centuries.
Nautical Astrolabe This instrument is a reproduction of a Nautical Astrolabe in the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich. It was copied from a replica in the Naval Museum of Madrid.
The nautical astrolabe is a simplification of the planispherical or astronomical astrolabe and its fundamental purpose is to obtain latitude by observing the altitude of the sun or other stars such as the Pole Star.
Solid metal with antique brass finish.
Size - Max Height 125mm, Diameter 100mm and 10mm thick
(Including VAT at 20%)
Nocturlabe This nocturnal watch - horologium nocturnale, noctilabium - is an astronomical instrument used to measure the time through the observation of the Pole Star and the position of bright stars in the celestial sphere.
This nocturlabe is a reproduction of the one made in 1570 by Girolamo della Volpaia (History of Science Museum of Florence). Because it was made before the Gregorian reform (1582) and its creator had not very accurate calculation boards, to use this instrument correctly one must add 38 days to the observation date.
Solid metal with antique brass finish
Size - Max Height 165mm, Diameter 140mm and 3mm thick
(Including VAT at 20%)
Astrolabe L.H.V This is a 'new' astrolabe designed by Dr Luis Hidalgo in the classical style. It is designed for a latitude of 50.5 degrees so can be used successfully throughout the British Isles and similar latitudes. The aim of the design was to produce an astrolabe suitable for teaching and learning its many applications.
Besides being used for calculating the length of the day and the time during the day, it can also be used to determine solar time at night. You can even use it to calculate the height of a tree from the length of its shadow.
Made from solid metal with an antique brass finish it is approximately 100mm in diameter.
(Including VAT at 20%)
