possibly made in Lahore, India
000-190-001-043-C
© National Museums Scotland |
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Astrolabe (back)
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.
Record details
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| Online ID: |
000-190-001-043-C |
| Image Rights Holder: |
National Museums Scotland |
| Project: |
0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project |
| Ref: |
National Museums Scotland T.1962.13 |
| Date: |
17th century
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| Material: |
Brass
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| Dimensions: |
117.00 mm D
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| What: |
Astrolabe
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| Subject: |
3. ASTRONOMY, Astrolabes (Departmental Classification)
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| Who: |
Diya ad-din (Maker)
Sir John Findlay Collection
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| Where: |
INDO-PERSIA
Pakistan, Punjab, Lahore
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| Event: |
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| 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
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| 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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