astrolabes
Ancient celestial instruments
Astrolabes are ancient astronomical instruments used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies and solve problems related to time and the position of stars.
Before modern navigation tools, astronomers and sailors used astrolabes to determine latitude, predict sunrise and sunset, and identify stars.
The device consists of a disk with rotating components that model the sky.
The museum displayed astrolabes from medieval Persia.
Of the sky above
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
- equinoxSun crosses celestial midline
solstice · declination · mater · tympan · planisphere · precession · culmination · transit
Maritime angular measurement device
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
quadrant · cross-staff · bearing · altitude · azimuth · horizon · zenith · meridian
Traveling by ocean vessel
- sailingWind-propelled water travel
- voyageJourney by sea
- nauticalOf ships and sailing
- marinerOne who navigates ships
ship · ocean · navigation · pilot · harbor · charting · coastal · offshore
Greco-Egyptian astronomer, geographer
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- HellenisticOf post-Alexander Greek civilization
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
Chaucer · artifact · treatise · brass · engraving · craftsmanship · timekeeping · horology
celestial
Of the sky above
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- eclipticSun's apparent annual path
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
equinox · solstice · declination · mater · tympan · planisphere · precession · culmination · transit
sextant
Maritime angular measurement device
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
wayfinding · quadrant · cross-staff · bearing · altitude · azimuth · horizon · zenith · meridian · ephemeris
seafaring
Traveling by ocean vessel
mariner · ship · ocean · navigation · pilot · harbor · charting · coastal · offshore · Portuguese
Ptolemy
Greco-Egyptian astronomer, geographer
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- HellenisticOf post-Alexander Greek civilization
Renaissance · Chaucer · artifact · treatise · brass · engraving · craftsmanship · timekeeping · horology · sundial
Polaris
Celestial north marker
Arcturus · Rigel · Betelgeuse · Aldebaran · Regulus · Capella · Deneb · Canopus · magnitude
- maritimeships, ship, boat, boats, anchors
- Age of ExplorationColumbus, Marco Polo, exploration, explorers, expeditions
- artifactspottery shards, knives, masks, pottery, antiquity
- Arab explorationcaravans, camels, dhows, oases, frankincense
- Babylonian astronomycuneiform tablets, clay tablets, zodiac, ecliptic, constellations
- Islamic metalworkbrass bowls, brassware, copper vessels, ewers, incense burners
astrolabesGPS devices
Satellite-based location tools
satellite navigation systems · atomic clocks · radio navigation · radar · sextants
astrolabessextants
Astronomical angle-measuring devices
octants · quadrants · sonar · seismographs · chronometers