Case base

Case base for armillary sphere. The primary sphere consists of eight cardboard rings. In the centre there are two movable arcs of brass connected to an axis fixed at the North ecliptic pole of the primary sphere. These arcs represent the orbs of the Sun and the Moon. The larger arc carries a disc with the symbol of the Sun, the smaller one a disc with the symbol of the Moon. Within the arcs, there is a small terrestrial globe. The equator and the tropics of the terrestrial sphere are labelled 'Ligne Equinoctiale', 'Tropique du Cancer' and 'du Capricorne'; the polar circles are drawn but not labelled. The outlines of the continents are drawn, California is still an island (!) and the representation of Australia shows only the Dutch discoveries up to 1644. Two oceans are labelled. This item forms a pair with the terrestrial hand globe, Fortin GLB0045. For full details about the cartography and construction of this armillary sphere please refer to the related publication, Globes at Greenwich.

Object Details

ID: AST0637.1
Type: Case base
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Fortin, Jean
Date made: 1770
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 70 mm; Diameter: 100 mm
Parts: Armillary sphere