Astrolabe (front)

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Astrolabes can be used for time-finding, navigation, surveying, astronomy and astrology. Made in 1026 in Cordoba in Spain by an Islamic craftsman, this brass example is the earliest surviving signed and dated astrolabe made in Europe.

The instrument is made of brass. The photograph shows the front, with a latitude projection plate, the rete and pin all mounted. There is a ring for suspension.

In Islam, astrolabes could be used to calculate the time for prayer. Islamic manufacture of astrolabes continued to the 20th century, although they were obsolete in Europe by the 18th century.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-697-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1959.62
• Date: 1026
  417 AH = 1026/1027 AD
  
• Material: Inscription: Work of Muhammad b. as-Saffar in Cordova in the year 17 and 400 (Kufic characters)
  Astrolabe
  
• Dimensions: 155.00 mm
  
• What: Astrolabe
  
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Astrolabes (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Muhammad b-as-Saffar, Cordova (Maker)
  
• Where: Spain, Cordoba
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass astrolabe, the earliest surviving signed and dated astrolabe made in Europe, by Muhammad b. as-Saffar, Cordoba, Spain, 417 AH, 1026/7 AD
  
• References:
  • Macdonald, A. & Morrison-Low, A.D., A Heavenly Library: Treasures from the Royal Observatory's Crawford Collection. Edinburgh: Royal Observatory & NMS, 1994, p 24 
  • Turner, A. J., The Time Museum catalogue of the collection, Vol 1: Time Measuring Instruments, Part 1 Astrolabes & Astrolabe Related Instruments. Rockford: 1985, p 115 
• Translations:
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