Islamic globe

Islamic globe. Astronomical details on the sphere include 1018 stars and the 48 Ptolemaic constellations. Some constellations, for example Gemini, are labelled twice and some stars are connected with the word 'and'. There are too many star names to list here, but the constellation of Leo, for example, has nine stars with labels. The iconography of the constellation figures suggests that this instrument was made in eastern Persia. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publications.

Object Details

ID: GLB0141
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Islamic globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1600
Exhibition: Time and Longitude
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 330 x 210 mm; Diameter of sphere: 170 mm