Spain / Al-andalus: An astrolabe made by Muhammad al-Naqqhash of Zaragoza, 1080 CE

An astrolabe (Greek: ἁστρολάβον astrolabon, 'star-taker') is an elaborate inclinometer, historically used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. Its many uses include locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa, surveying, triangulation, and to cast horoscopes.

It was used in classical antiquity, through the Islamic Golden Age, the European Middle Ages and Renaissance for all these purposes. In the Islamic world, it was also used to calculate the Qibla and to find the times for Salah, prayers.

There is often confusion between the astrolabe and the mariner's astrolabe. While the astrolabe could be useful for determining latitude on land, it was an awkward instrument for use on the heaving deck of a ship or in wind. The mariner's astrolabe was developed to address these issues.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Wolfgang Sauber (PD)

Credit:

Pictures From History