Museo Galileo
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Virtual Museum
Astrolabe
    • Setting:
      Room V
    • Maker:
      Johann Richter (Praetorius)
    • Place:
      Altdorf
    • Date:
      1591
    • Materials:
      brass
    • Dimensions:
      diameter 500 mm
    • Inventory:
      1097
    • Astrolabe (Inv. 1097)

This astrolabe, made by Johann Richter, is missing its rete, an alidade, a rule, and several tympanums (there is only one for latitudes 53° and 57°, corresponding to Great Britain). On the back, at the center, are marked the main religious feasts, the zodiacal calendar, and the leading saints. The shadow square frames a finely etched rural scene. Provenance: Medici collections.