astrolabe
Medieval celestial calculator
An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used to measure the positions of celestial bodies and solve astronomical problems.
A flat disk with rotating components, it helped navigators determine latitude, tell time, and predict the positions of stars and planets.
Though superseded by more precise instruments, astrolabes remained in use from antiquity through the Renaissance.
Great age, ancient era
- PtolemyGreco-Egyptian astronomer, geographer
- HellenisticOf post-Alexander Greek civilization
- Islamic Golden AgeMedieval era of Arab scholarship
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
Greco-Roman · medieval · Renaissance · alchemy · geocentric · artifact · relic · preservation
Of the sky above
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- constellationsRecognized celestial groupings
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
equator · altitude · azimuth · horizon · sidereal · planets · solstice · equinox
Copper-zinc metal mixture
- materMother, informally British
- tympanPrinter's packing frame
- limbJointed bodily projection
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
pointer · scales · graduated · engraved · dials · planisphere · rule · pin
One who navigates ships
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- sailingWind-propelled water travel
- voyageJourney by sea
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
nautical · explorer · ocean · celestial navigation · wayfinding · bearing · course · pilotage
Measured height above reference
- anglesRotation between intersecting lines
- trigonometryTriangle angle mathematics
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
time · position · calibration · accuracy · precision · mathematics · geometry · observation
antiquity
Great age, ancient era
- PtolemyGreco-Egyptian astronomer, geographer
- HellenisticOf post-Alexander Greek civilization
- Islamic Golden AgeMedieval era of Arab scholarship
Byzantine · Greco-Roman · medieval · Renaissance · alchemy · geocentric · artifact · relic · preservation · archaeology
celestial
Of the sky above
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- constellationsRecognized celestial groupings
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
ecliptic · equator · altitude · azimuth · horizon · sidereal · planets · solstice · equinox · skywatching
brass
Copper-zinc metal mixture
throne · pointer · scales · graduated · engraved · dials · planisphere · rule · pin · craftsmanship
mariner
One who navigates ships
ship · nautical · explorer · ocean · celestial navigation · wayfinding · bearing · course · pilotage · seafaring
altitude
Measured height above reference
- anglesRotation between intersecting lines
- trigonometryTriangle angle mathematics
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
surveying · time · position · calibration · accuracy · precision · mathematics · geometry · observation · sighting
- timekeepingclock, watch, watches, clocks, timer
- Age of ExplorationColumbus, Marco Polo, exploration, explorers, expeditions
- Maritime ExplorationColumbus, Magellan, voyage, navigator, Age of Discovery
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- stargazingtelescope, stargazing guides, night sky, stars, constellation
astrolabeseismograph
Earthquake measuring device
barometer · thermometer · odometer · pedometer · depth gauge
astrolabetelescope
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
refracting telescope · reflecting telescope · binoculars · spyglass · microscope