Repro Scientific Instruments - Astrolabes
Such detail - genuine working reproductions. These fabulous pieces of jewellery-with-purpose have been chosen, not just for their intricacy, nor just for their skillful and accurate manufacture but for the sheer pleasure of holding in your hand the summation of knowledge. Encapsulated. Beautiful.

Miniature Nautical Astrolabe
This is a reproduction of the Nautical Astrolabe in the Art Gallery and Museum of Dundee. This marine astrolabe, made by the Portuguese, is dated between 1550 - 1555. Its owner, a Dundee skipper, Andrew Smyton, stamped it with both his name and date of ownership, 1688. The nautical astrolabe is a simplification of the planispherical or astronomical astrolabe and can only measure the altitude of the stars to calculate the latitude.
£25

Miniature Astrolabe
The Astrolabe, considered as the mathematic jewel of the Middle Ages, was to the end of 17th century the instrument most used in the whole history of astronomy. It is still useful today because it allows us to understand in a clear and simply way, the celestial mechanism and the apparent movement of the stars. Its origins could go as far as Alexandria in the fourth century. Its was perfected by the Arabs and Persians, who introduced it to Spain and from there to Western Europe at the beginning of tenth century.
£25

Miniature Nocturnal
This is a reproduction of an instrument dated 1570 and signed by Humphrey Cole. It is found in the British Museum, London. The original piece has two faces, so does this! Fantastic detail!
£25

Nautical Astrolabe Keyring
The rubbish some people have on their keyrings - from soft toys to torches. And they could proudly have an astrolabe! And a combination of these tools would replace any satnav!! Now you could argue that when these were originally made they didn't have keyrings. But they did. This is just a miniature keyring with a miniature astrolabe. You know you want one!
£25

Astrolabe Keyring
Another one - three designs to choose from. Personally I'd buy all three.
£25

Nocturnal Astrolabe Keyring
OK, so they were only useful at night - so why 'nocturnal'? No, seriously, why? Historically it is admitted with enough probability that its origin could go as far as Alexandria around IV century. Its was brought to perfection by the Arabs and Persians, who introduced it to Spain and through it to West Europe at the beginning of X century.
£25.00

Asineus Astrolabe - 100mm
The astrolabe is a fascinating instrument, one of the earliest analogue computers. It can be used for finding the time during the day or night, finding the time of a celestial event such as sunrise or sunset and as a handy reference of celestial positions. Mastering its uses can provide hours of interest and give a better understanding of celestial mechanics. 110mm diameter, 8mm plate.
£95

Asineus Astrolabe - 200mm
This larger astrolabe has markings which are easier to read. It looks impressive on display and is sure to excite interest. Besides their use for determining astronomical events astrolabes were used as teaching tools in the late Middle Ages. Height 250mm, diameter 200mm, thickness 12mm
£135

Nocturlabe
This nocturnal watch - horologium nocturnale or noctilabium - is an astronomical instrument used to measure the time through the observation of the Pole Star and the position of bright stars in the celestial sphere. This nocturnal is a reproduction of the one made in 1570 by Girolamo della Volpaia (History of Science Museum of Florence). Because it was made before the Gregorian reform (1582) and its creator had not very accurate calculation boards, to use this instrument correctly one must add 38 days to observation date. Size - Max Height 165mm, Diameter 140mm and 3mm Thick.
£85

Nautical Astrolabe
This instrument is a reproduction of a Nautical Astrolabe in the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich. It was copied from a replica in the Naval Museum of Madrid. The nautical astrolabe is a simplification of the planispherical or astronomical astrolabe and its fundamental purpose is to obtain the latitude by observing the altitude of the sun or other stars such as the Pole Star. Size - Max Height 125mm, Diameter 100mm and 10mm Thick
£65

New Astrolabe LHV
This new astrolabe has the background of all existing astrolabes. The aim is to have a general design, with the aim of explaining how and what an Astrolabe can do with full explanations. This is astrolabe, an instrument designed for a 50,5º Lat which works correctly. It has a "general design" made after much study by Dr. Luis Hidalgo Velayos . The astrolabe has been designed and developed technically as a "new instrument" with the aim of sharing a good working instrument/tool and adding the explanations about its functions and making this understandable for a wide public. There are many explanations and examples to show what one can do with an astrolabe: For example: * Hours of sunshine (from the dawn until nightfall). * Finding the time when we know the altitude of the Sun. Nighttime chronometer: The astrolabe can tell us the time not just during the day, but by taking on the role of a Nocturlabe will allow us to find the solar hour by taking readings from the stars, even if they are not circumpolar (one overtakes the other). Examples of its topographical use : Calculating the Height of a Tree Knowing the Longitude of its Shadow
£72

Planipherical Astrolabe
The origins of the astrolabe were in classical Greece. It entered Europe from Moslem Spain with Latin words engraved alongside the original Arabic. Its peak of popularity was in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was one of the basic astronomical education tools. Astrolabes can be used to solve many astronomical problems that would otherwise require rather sophisticated mathematics. All of the everyday uses of the astrolabe are not known, but they were certainly used to tell time during the day or night, to find the time of sunrise and sunset, to locate celestial objects in the sky and also to determine aspects of horoscopes. Size - Max Height 165mm, Diameter 140mm and 3mm Thick
£110