The astrolabe continues to provoke interest after 2000 years of evolution. This review describes a computer recreation of a classic astrolabe, including a brief introduction to the theory and history of the astrolabe as well as a summary of the functions and uses of the Electronic Astrolabe program. A brief glossary of astronomical terms is included.
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References
1.
For a more complete general description of astrolabes seeNorthJ. D.: ‘The astrolabe’. Sci. Am., Jan. 1974, 230, (1), 96–106. See also ‘The planispheric astrolabe’; 1979, Greenwich, National Maritime Museum.
2.
For a derivation of these properties of the stereographic projection seeNeugebauerO.: ‘A history of ancient mathematical astronomy’, 859; 1975, New York, Springer-Verlag.
3.
For a discussion of the role of astronomy in Islam seeKingD. A.: ‘Science in the service of religion: the case of Islam’, Impact Sci. Soc., 159, 245–262.
4.
The most complete reference on the techniques of astrolabe design is h. michel: ‘Traité de l'astrolabe’; 1976, Paris, Éditions Alain Brieux. A more analytical approach isSandersH. N.: ‘All the astrolabes’;1984, Oxford, Senecio.
5.
SeeTurnerA. J.: ‘The time museum: time measuring instruments. Part I: Astrolabes/astrolabe related instruments’; 1985, Rockford, IL, The Time Museum, for a complete historical review.
6.
De Solla PriceD. J.: ‘The Tower of Winds’, Natl. Geograph. Mag., 1967, 131, 586 andAm. J. Archaeol., 1968, 72, 345.
7.
For a complete discussion seeneugebauero.: ‘The early history of the astrolabe. Studies in ancient astronomy IX’, 278–294; 1983, New York, Springer-Verlag.
8.
For example, seeSalibaG.: ‘The buffalo astrolabe of Muhammad Khalil’, Al-Abhath, 1973–77, XXVI, 11–13.
9.
MichelH.: ‘Méthodes de tracé et d'exécution des Astrolabes persans’;Ciel Terre, 1941, 12.
10.
SeeGibbsS. and SalibaG.; ‘Planispheric astrolabes from the National Museum of American History’; 1984, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution Press, for a detailed comparison of the various styles of planispheric astrolabes.
11.
Several astrolabe kits are available from sources such as the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Harold Sanders, Oxford and the Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL. Such kits are sold in museum stores and occasionally advertised in astronomy magazines.
