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Astrolabe (electrotype), owned by Philip II of Spain

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Astrolabe (electrotype), owned by Philip II of Spain
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An astrolabe is an instrument used by early astronomers to measure the altitude of stars and planets and also as a navigational aid. This electrotype is of an astrolabe made at Louvain in Belgium by Walter Arsenius and formerly owned by Spain's Philip II.

The back of the astrolabe is engraved around the edge with a degree scale, and within this is Gemma Frisins' universal projection. The published description of this appeared in 1556 after Gemma's death: in it he attempted with this design to create an instrument which not only contained the fixed-latitude and universal forms of the astrolabe, but also was able to undertake a range of tasks in surveying and navigation.

The original astrolabe is in the Archaeological Museum of Madrid. It came to London for an exhibition in 1876, when three electrotype copies were made at £32.00 each. The other two are in the British Museum and the Science Museum in London.

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