Astrolabes, revered for both their astronomical utility and artistic craftsmanship, are unveiling another dimension – the ability to mark their own creation date through the patterns of stars they reference. Emmanuel Davoust, an astronomer and historian, explored an astrolabe housed in the Musee des Arts precieux Paul-Dupuy in Toulouse, France.
Astrolabes, intricate instruments for determining latitude and celestial positions, involve complex parts like the “rete” representing the celestial sphere’s planar projection and the “mater” with graduations for determining star height. The crucial element is the set of pointers representing specific stars.
To decipher the astrolabe’s creation date, Davoust used modern technology, capturing the rete in a picture and determining coordinates for each pointer. Cross-referencing with a star catalog for known Latin astrolabes, he identified a pattern closest to the Toulouse astrolabe. Through meticulous astronomical sleuthing, he determined that the equinox of the year 1550 most closely aligned with the celestial pointers, shedding light on the astrolabe’s likely creation period.
This interdisciplinary research showcases the unexpected insights gained by combining astronomy and historical investigation, providing a glimpse into the fascinating history of these remarkable artifacts.
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Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/arcane-navigation-device-holds-a-hidden-clue-that-reveals-its-origins
