Ancient Navigation: Astrolabe


The astrolabe is a very ancient astronomical computer for solving problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars in the sky.

The mariner's astrolabe was the navigation tool of early European explorers.The astrolabe dates back to ancient Greece, when it was used by astronomers and mariners to help tell time and location.


Astrolabe Quadrant England 1388




Spanish/Portuguese Astrolabe 1588 - The mariner's astrolabe has been developed by Arabic astronomers. Christopho Columbo used a similar astrolab design on his voyages to discover the "New World". It was a simplified version of an instrument for measuring the height of stars and the sun above the horizon level. This astrolabe has been discovered in southern Ireland were several ships of the Spanish Armada foundered.



Persian Astrolabe 1660 - The astrolabe represents a mathematical likeness of the heavens and its Greek name is - "Star Taker". This amazing sophisticated scientific instrument has been crafted by Muhammad Mahdi al-Khadim al-Yazdi in brass and was used to solve astronomical problems and to show the positions of stars and planets at different dates, times and latitudes. The Persian calligraphy engraving reads a quotation from the Koran: "The world is decorated with stars".



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