astrolabe
2
9.9
- noun
- /ˈæstrəˌleɪb/
- Archaic
:
astrolabio
- It was thought to be an astrolabe, a navigational device to determine the attitude of the sun and stars.
- astrolabe for navigation
- astrolabe quadrants
- instruments like the astrolabe
Examples
-
By the turn of the first millennium A.D., Arab and Muslim scientists had perfected astronomical instruments like the astrolabe and established great observatories across the Middle East.
Academic text (2004) -
I can make out an astrolabe, a large stele, and a throne amid the ruins.
Academic text (2009) -
After you left, I kept looking at the astrolabe.
-
The Portuguese had the three-mast ship, the compass, the quadrant, the astrolabe, navigation charts, and a comparatively good knowledge of winds, currents, stars, and latitudes.
Academic text (1995) -
At right, Herman Contractus of Reichenau displays, in the very center of the image and prominently labeled in red ink, an astrolabe, whose invention was attributed to him.
Academic text (1999) -
The ninth-century Caliph al-Ma'mun initiated the construction and operation of astrolabes, quadrants, and armillaries at multiple observing sites to prepare astronomical tables.
Academic text (1995) -
When the Portuguese reached the Guinea Coast, they did so in three-masted oceangoing sailing ships using a compass, quadrant, astrolabe, navigation tables and charts, and knowledge of stars, winds, currents, and latitudes.
Academic text (1992) -
Photo (color): Several astrolabes used for navigation were recovered from the wreck, including this bronze one inscribed with the date 1605, the year the Mrtires set sail from Lisbon.
Academic text (2003) -
The ancient mariner used an astrolabe to navigate by the stars during his long journey at sea.
-
In her history class, she learned that the astrolabe was vital for sailors to determine their position based on celestial bodies.
Synonyms
An old instrument sailors used to measure angles to the sun or stars up to 45 degrees
An instrument that measures star positions and brightness
How Complex
- Specialized
1
5.7
- Archaic
2
9.9
- Specialized
4
9.5
11
4.9
Surface Forms
Etymology
Astrolabe comes from Greek parts astro- meaning 'star' and -labe meaning 'to take'. Think of it as a tool that 'takes' or measures the stars, which is why sailors and astronomers used it to find their position and study the sky.