Astrolabe

Though hardly bearing comparison to the works of al-Battuti in terms of quality, this Moroccan astrolabe is an honest 19th century production in the same tradition.

The throne and rim are soldered onto the mater. The rete features 22 star pointers which have been soldered on rather clumsily. There are three plates, whose markings follow the usual maghribi pattern. On the back of the instrument are two altitude scales and zodiacal and calendrical scales. Inside of these is a double shadow square. The alidade is thin and bears no markings.

Object Details

ID: AST0559
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Astrolabe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: al-Battuti, Muhammad ibn Ahmad
Date made: circa 1850?
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 35 x 220 x 144 mm; Diameter: 144 mm