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astrolabe

Astronomical instrument in the form of a disc or sphere with wires, cutouts or perforations that allows a user to calculate astronomical positions precisely

EntityQ164992

Subclass of: astronomical instrument
, inclinometer

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

An astrolabe is an astronomical instrument dating to ancient times. It serves as a star chart and physical model of the visible half-dome of the sky. Its various functions also make it an elaborate inclinometer and an analog calculation device capable of working out several kinds of problems in astronomy. In its simplest form it is a metal disc with a pattern of wires, cutouts, and perforations that allows a user to calculate astronomical positions precisely. It is able to measure the altitude above the horizon of a celestial body, day or night; it can be used to identify stars or planets, to determine local latitude given local time, to survey, or to triangulate. It was used in classical antiquity, the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Middle Ages and the Age of Discovery for all these purposes.

Overview

All data

66 statements · 15% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

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47 identifiers linking astrolabe across the web's reference databases

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statements

15%

externally sourced

Source last edited October 9, 2026. AIDb refreshes this page daily.

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AIDb. (2026). astrolabe (Q164992). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/astrolabe-Q164992