Islamic globe

Islamic globe. Astronomical details on the sphere include stars and constellations. The zodiacal figures and Orion are engraved with dotted lines. A total of 67 stars are named, and the 48 Ptolemaic constellations are depicted, of which 43 are labelled. Corona Borealis, Aries, Scorpius, Orion and Lepus are not labelled. The ecliptic longitudes of a number of stars have been determined. By comparing these values to those in the Ptolemaic catalogue for AD 137, and using the Arabic rate for precession, the epoch of the stars has been determined as 1549, with an uncertainty of 34 years. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0007
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Islamic globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1549
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 280 x 140 mm; Diameter of sphere: 127 mm