Astrolabe (back), owned by Robert Gordon of Straloch, Aberdeenshire

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This brass astrolabe dates from the early 15th century. It was made in France, probably by Jean Fusoris (c. 1365-1436), and later owned by Robert Gordon (1580-1661) of Straloch in Aberdeenshire.

The photograph shows the back of the instrument, with the alidade mounted. The astrolabe has a ring for suspension. By using the shadow square together with an angular observation, the astrolabe can be used as a surveying instrument.

Robert Gordon made a major contribution to Scottish cartography by extensively revising the manuscript surveys of Timothy Pont (c.1565-c.1614) for publication by the Blaeus in Amsterdam.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-944-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1947.27
• Date: c. 1460
  Early 15th century
  
• Material: Inscription: Robertius Gordonius [on rim]
  Astrolabe
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Astrolabe
  
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Astrolabes (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Gordon of Straloch (Owner)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Gordon of Straloch's astrolabe, probably dating from 1460, with Robertius Gordonius on rim
  
• References:
  • For Gordon's map-mapping contribution, see Royal Scottish Geographical Society, The Early Maps of Scotland to 1850. Edinburgh: 1973 pp 44-53, 138 
  • Macdonald, A. & Morrison-Low, A.D., A Heavenly Library: Treasures from the Royal Observatory's Crawford Collection. Edinburgh: Royal Observatory & NMS, 1994, p 25 
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