Nocturnal

Very different from standard boxwood nocturnal. No long index arm and reverse has table of stars with declinations. Purpose of additional scales on obverse is unclear. The instrument is very badly warped.

Boxwood nocturnal with short shaped handle at bottom. Obverse has two rotatable discs with pointers.
Main disc: Zodiac scale divided anticlockwise to named sign, numbered to 10 deg for each sign and subdivided to 5 deg and 1 deg. Date scale divided anticlockwise to named months, numbered and subdivided to 5 days and 1 day. Meridian transit (lowest point) at first degree of Libra. Degree scale divided anticlockwise from beginning of Aries numbered by 10 deg and subdivided to 5 deg and 1 deg. Inner scale divided from first point of Aries and similarly marked.
Lower rotatable disc: Hour scale divided numbered anticlockwise subdivided to 30 min and 15 min.
Upper rotatable disc: Lunar-age scale divided clockwise and subdivided to 5 days and 1 day. Reverse has one rotatable disc with pointer.
Main disc: Degree scale divided anticlockwise from bottom. Circle of stars with their declinations marked anticlockwise from bottom.
Rotatable disc: Hour scale divided to half hours. Brass lining to central hole.

Object Details

ID: AST0129
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Nocturnal
Display location: Display - ROG
Creator: Unknown
Date made: 17th century; ca.1700 ?
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 20 x 120 x 100 mm
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