Nauticalia Astrolabe with Wooden StandThe little-known GPS
of Ancient Times
Perhaps the most used multipurpose astronomical instrument
in history, the astrolabe is known to have been in use since at least 200BC and
rose to prominence in the Middle Ages. Essentially, it’s an elaborate
inclinometer-cum-slide rule, used to measure the altitude above the horizon of
a celestial body. It can be used to identify stars or planets, to determine
local latitude, to survey, and even determine your horoscope. The arrival, in
the 17th-18th centuries, of accurate sextants and
reliable portable chronometers rendered the astrolabe obsolete for navigation
at sea, but it remains a fascinating and little-understood instrument. Our
replica, in polished brass, sits in a wooden plinth and stands 18cm tall.
Specifications
| Attribute |
| Brand |
Nauticalia |
| 
