Brass Astrolabe AST0580
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1813
Catalogued under object identification AST0580 at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, this brass astrolabe is dated to 1813 (AH 1228). The instrument measures 60 mm in diameter and 93 mm in total length including its throne.
The throne is tri-lobed and engraved with a Koranic verse. According to museum documentation, the mater holds a 24-locality gazetteer and seven plates engraved for latitudes between 21° and 40°, three lacking labels. The reverse features a sine quadrant and double shadow square. A Persian rim inscription referencing Jamshid provides a chronogram yielding the AH 1228 date.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Scientific instrument
- Plates
- Seven plates
- Diameter
- 60 mm
- Date made
- 1813 (AH 1228)
- Materials
- Brass
- Museum ID
- AST0580
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular brass mater topped by an engraved tri-lobed throne, shackle, and suspension ring. • Brass rete with pierced openwork tracery, pointers, and central crossbar over an engraved plate. • Outer limb engraved with graduated scales and inscriptions along the circumference.
- Dating and Chronology
- The date is established through a Persian rim inscription. This text references the legend of Jamshid and functions as a chronogram indicating the year AH 1228, corresponding to 1813 AD. The maker of the instrument is recorded as unknown.
- Physical Configuration and Materiality
- The astrolabe (AST0580) is constructed from brass and measures 60 mm in diameter, with a total length of 93 mm. The instrument features a circular mater topped by a tri-lobed throne. The throne is engraved with a Koranic verse. The rete is noted as having a design quality described by the museum as poor, featuring pierced openwork tracery and a central crossbar.
- Astronomical Components and Calibration
- The mater contains a gazetteer documenting 24 localities. The instrument includes seven plates with markings for various latitudes between 21° and 40°, three of which are unlabelled. The reverse of the instrument is fitted with a sine quadrant and a double shadow square. The outer limb features graduated scales and inscriptions.
Identification
- Reference
- AST0580
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The maker is recorded as unknown.
- Research required: The gazetteer, individual plates, and reverse features (sine quadrant and shadow square) are concealed in this front view.