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Astrolabes and Other ancient Instruments

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Richard Parsons28/11/2010 08:19:52
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645 forum posts
33 photos
You can see many more here at http://emu.mhs.ox.ac.uk/ it is worth a virtual visit. A real visit is another question 
David Colwill28/11/2010 08:57:04
782 forum posts
40 photos
Looks very interesting.
Thanks.
Dave 
ady28/11/2010 09:08:27
612 forum posts
50 photos
We used something like that at sea, called starfinders, you need a separate sheet for every 10 degrees of latitude kinda thing.
Meant you could confidently shoot a sight using some goofy celestial bodies no-one had ever heard of unless they were a serious stargazer, or through broken cloud when visibility was bad.
Ships have got GPS now though, just push a button.
 
 
I don't recall anything for planets, mainly because they are so easy to spot on a clear night.

Edited By ady on 28/11/2010 09:13:42

Terryd28/11/2010 13:23:21
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1946 forum posts
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Hi all,
 
Anyone interested in the astrolabe might like to look here, there is a little Java applet which runs in a browser to provide printouts for different types of astrolabe which can be modelled from paper or thin card and printable transparencies.  
 
The guy also provides lots of information files on the astrolabe and his program and best of all it's all free


Hi Ady,

The Astrolabe is a bit more than a starfinder, a lot more in fact.  As someone who did a lot of pleasure sailing as a young man we used RDF in those days but it was still comforting to know how to use something which didn't need batteries or a power supply in case of breakdown believe me.  This short video is worth watching to the end.

Terry
 

Brian Rutter04/10/2020 07:55:56
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25 forum posts
24 photos

Have a look at this beautiful Astrolabe and watch it being made by hand.

I follow this guy and do not know how to describe him ; Engineer, Artist, Engraver.

He makes tools by hand to make machines to make anything and he is fun.

https://youtu.be/8U7ED6k5NLg

 

 

Edited By Brian Rutter on 04/10/2020 08:00:14

Michael Gilligan04/10/2020 08:24:34
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23121 forum posts
1360 photos

Thanks for that link, Brian yes

MichaelG.

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