Museo Galileo
italiano
previous
Virtual Museum
Plane astrolabe
    • Setting:
      Room II
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Place:
      Arab
    • Date:
      14th cent. (?)
    • Materials:
      gilt brass
    • Dimensions:
      diameter 170 mm
    • Inventory:
      1109
    • Plane astrolabe (Inv. 1109)
    • Plane astrolabe (Inv. 1109)

This astrolabe comprises five tympanums, of which four are for latitudes 0°/18°, 21°/24°, 30°/32°, and 34° (corresponding to the regions between Ethiopia and Syria). The inside of the mater carries the meridians and parallels. There is a rete: the zodiacal circle bears the names of the constellations in Latin. The back is inscribed with the names of the zodiac constellations in Latin and a shadow square. Dates from at least the fourteenth century, but may be older. Provenance: Medici collections.