Astrolabe

Description

Brass astrolabe with two graduated tablets, rete showing 21 stars and alidade with peep sights, unsigned, probably Flemish, believed to be by Michael Piquer, mid 16th century

Museum reference

T.1928.21

Collection

History of Science

Object name

Astrolabe

Production information

Piquer, Michael, 1542 - 1555 (fl.)
Flanders, EUROPE

Date

Mid 16th century

Materials

Brass

Physical description

Brass

Exhibitions

• Earth in Space (29 Jul 2011)
  National Museum of Scotland

References

Gunther, R.T., Astrolabes of the World, Oxford, 1932, pp 395-6

Gibbs, Sharon L. et al., A Computerised Checklist of Astrolabes, New Haven, Connecticut, 1973, no. 1184

For the use of the astrolabe, see Turner, A.J., The Time Museum: Time Measuring Instruments Part 1 Astrolabes, Rockford, Illinois, 1985, pp 1-9, 23-6

North, J.D., 'The Astrolabe' in Scientific American 230 (1974) pp 96-106

National Maritime Museum, The Planispheric Astrolabe, London, 1976

On display

national museum of scotland »
level 1 »
natural world »
earth in space »
space (early star gazing)