Quadrant

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A quadrant is a quarter of a circumference of a circle. This wooden example was made around 1820, probably by Alexander Adie, a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh. It was made to Edmund Gunter's 1623 design.

The instrument has fixed brass sights on one edge, a degree scale around the circumference, but lacks the plumb-bob suspended from the apex. The projection is made for a single latitude, in this case for 55 degrees North, the latitude for Edinburgh.

Probably produced for educational purposes by this date, the quadrant can be used to tell the time from the altitude of the sun and can also be used as a form of calender.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-713-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1967.111
• Date: Around 1820
  c. 1820
  
• Material: Wooden box, brass pin hole sights. Inscription: ADIE EDINBURGH
  
• Dimensions: 6.13" radius x 0.44" thick
  
• What:
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Quadrants (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Adie, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Wooden quadrant, six inch, used in astronomy, signed Adie of Edinburgh, c. 1820
  
• References:
  • For Gunter's quadrant, see Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987. pp 79-80 
• Translations:
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