The astrolabe is the most sophisticated and beautiful astronomical instrument. It was used to determine the time, azimuths and declinations of stars... In short: an elegant analogue calculator
In Europe, the astrolabe became an indispensable instrument for astronomers, astrologers and surveyors until it was replaced by more accurate instruments at the end of the 17th century. In the Arab world, it remained in use until the 19th century.
This planispheric astrolabe is based on an original piece by the German maker G. Hartmann, which is housed in the British Museum in London. Georg Hartmann or Georso von Gius Hartmann (Germany, 1489–1664) was a true Renaissance man. He settled in Nuremberg in 1518 and created his vast body of work there. Shortly before 1523, he had already established a workshop specialising in the manufacture of scientific instruments. Many of his instruments have survived to this day: sundials, astrolabes, quadrants, and astronomical and astrological compendia.
He was probably the most prolific of the ‘instrument makers’ in the first half of the 16th century.
