Impressive Spherical Astrolabe

Impressive Spherical Astrolabe
including an Armillary Sphere with astral map, crafted of brass with green finish of time patina over the "golden" brass color. The circles of the Astrolabe are decorated on both front and back by signs of the Zodiac and by Islamic writing. The kinetic circles are changing positions for the purpose of measurements thus also generating exciting views. This is a massive built instrument with ample size, weight and special beauty -museum material. it has been preserved in very fine condition. Astrolabe 47 cm High 33 cm Diameter. the Sphere 12 cm Diameter

An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument that was a handheld model of the universe. Its various functions also make it capable of working out several kinds of problems in astronomy. Historically used by astronomers, it is able to measure the altitude above the horizon of a celestial body, day or night; it can be used to identify stars or planets, to determine local latitude given local time (and vice versa), to survey, or to triangulate. It was used in classical antiquity, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Middle Ages and the Age of Discovery for all these purposes.

 An early astrolabe was invented in the Hellenistic civilization by Apollonius of Perga between 220 and 150 BC. Soon it became extensively used in most parts of the antique world. the Islamic astronomer AL SUFI described in the 10th century CE around 1000 applications for the astrolabe's various functions, [ and these ranged from the astrological, the astronomical and the religious, to seasonal and daily time-keeping and tide tables.

The spherical astrolabe was a variation of both the astrolabe and the armillary sphere, invented during the Middle Ages by astronomers and inventors in the Islamic world.[c] The earliest description of the spherical astrolabe dates back to Al-Nayrizi (fl. 892–902).

 the large majority of famous navigators many of those wo have discovered new lands around the globe have relied heavily on the astrolabe in their travelings.

In the Modern Times - end of 19 and 20th centuries - Astrolabes were crafted in small quantities yet well detailed mainly for the educational purpose of offering to the public of all ages a tangible opportunity to learn of the development of sciences, technology and progress of human civilization in discovering the world on earth, high seas and space.

 Astrolabes and Spherical Astrolabes are displayed in famous science museums like the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. USA at the Science Museum in Oxford England and more, also in prestigious Universities and additional educational institutions around the world also at the headquarters of major international companies specializing in Marine trasportation, Space traveling, International commerce and more. CREDIT WIKIPEDIA