Astrolabe (back)

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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 brass example was made in India in the 17th century, possibly by Diya ad-din, an instrument maker based in Lahore.

The back of the astrolabe includes a sine and cosine quadrant and a graph of the meridian altitude of the sun throughout the year for latitudes 18 and 20 degrees.

Astrolabe construction in the Middle East has a longer and more continuous history than in Europe. The earliest instruments which survive are from the 9th century and were made by Syro-Egyptian astrolabists working in Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo.

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-043-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1962.13
• Date: 17th century
  
• Material: Brass
  Astrolabe
  
• Dimensions: 117.00 mm D
  
• What: Astrolabe
  
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Astrolabes (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Diya ad-din (Maker)
  Sir John Findlay Collection
  
• Where: INDO-PERSIA
  Pakistan, Punjab, Lahore
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass astrolabe, with five plates with projections for latitudes, a plate of horizons, and a tablet of ecliptical coordinates, probably by Diya ad-din, Lahore, 17th century
  
• References:
  • Computer Checklist of Astrolabes No 89 
  • Gunther, R.T., The Astrolabes of the World. London: 1932. pp 217-8, no 89 
  • The Sir John Findlay Collection; an important collection of scientific instruments (2 parts) / Sotheby & Co., London, 1961-1962 
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