Many believe that our civilization - a source of constant progress, and all the most interesting discovery and development yet to come.However, the deep philosophical works, some masterpieces of architecture and even started long before us instruments clearly highlight the incompleteness of the concept.Ancient teachings as much was known, they created buildings and things, working principle and purpose of which are not clear until the end.Coherence of functioning of various devices with the laws of physics and irrefutable obtained with their help information often shrouded in legends.The number of such devices includes an astrolabe, an ancient astronomical instrument.
Appointment
As the name ("aster" in Greek means "star"), the device is connected with the study of celestial bodies.Indeed, the astrolabe - a tool to calculate the altitude relative to the surface of our planet are the stars and the sun, and on the basis of the data to determine the location of a terrestrial object.In the long journeys by land and by sea astrolabe helped determine the coordinates and time, sometimes as the only benchmark.
structure
astronomical instrument consists of a disc, which is a stereographic projection of the sky, and a circle with a high side, which disk is nested.The base unit (element board) is in the middle of a small hole, as well as hanging ring, required to facilitate the orientation of the entire structure on the horizon.The middle part is composed by several circles painted on them with lines and dots that determine the latitude and longitude.These discs are called tambourines.Goniometrical astronomical instrument has three such elements, each suited to a particular latitude.The order in which invested cymbals, dependent on the area: the upper disc should contain a projection sky corresponding to a given plot of land.
Over the tympanum has a special grille ("Spider"), equipped with lots of arrows pointing to the brightest stars indicated on the projection.Through a hole in the center of the tympanum, grills and foundations held axle fastening parts.To it was attached alidade - a special line for the calculations.
The accuracy of the astrolabe is striking: some devices, for example, are able to show not just the movement of the sun, but also deviations recurring in it.Interestingly, the ancient astronomical instrument was created at a time when the geocentric view of the world dominated.However, the notion that all heavenly bodies revolve around the Earth, did not prevent the ancient scientists to create a precision instrument.
little history
astronomical instruments is the Greek name, but many of its components are the names of Arab origin.The reason for this apparent inconsistency in the long path that crossed the unit for the period of its formation.
history of astronomy, as well as many other sciences, is inextricably linked to ancient Greece.Here, about two centuries before the Christian era there was the prototype of the astrolabe.Creator became his Hipparchus.Already in the second century after Christ similar to the description of the astrolabe goniometer did Claudius Ptolemy.He also built a tool capable of detecting the position of the stars in the sky.
These early devices differed from astrolabes, what they imagine is a modern man and which are exhibited in many museums around the world.The first tool of the usual structure of the invention is considered to Theon of Alexandria (IV century. BC. E.)
Eastern sages
history of astronomy in the early Middle Ages began to unfold in the territory of the Islamic states.It was connected with the persecution of scientists from the church, with attribution tools like the astrolabe, a satanic origin.
Arabs perfected the instrument, began to apply it not only to determine the location and orientation of the stars on the ground, but as time meter, an instrument for some mathematical calculations, the source of astrological predictions.The wisdom of the East and West merged together, the result was an astrolabe device, that combines European heritage with the Arab Thought.
Pope and diabolical instrument
One of Europeans who wanted to revive the astrolabe was Herbert Orilyaksky (Sylvester II), briefly held the post of the Pope.He studied the achievements of Arab scientists have learned to use many of the tools, forgotten since antiquity or forbidden by the church.His talents were recognized, but the connection with the alien Islamic knowledge has contributed to a number of legends about him.Herbert suspected in connection with the succubus, and even the devil.The first gave him knowledge, and the second helped to occupy such a high position in the church hierarchy.Unclean attributed his rise.Despite all the rumors, Herbert was able to revive a number of important instruments, including the astrolabe.
Return
Some time later, in the XII century, Europe was again to use this tool.Initially, the course was only an Arab astrolabe.It was for many new tools and only for some - the forgotten heritage of their ancestors and modernized.Gradually they began to appear locally produced counterparts, as well as the long scientific works relating to the application and the device astrolabes.
peak of popularity of the device has fallen to an era of great discoveries.The course was sea astrolabe, helps to identify where the ship turned.True, she had a feature that negates the accuracy of the data.Columbus, like many of his contemporaries, was traveling on the water, complained that this device can not be used in a rolling, it is effective only when under the feet fixed on the ground or the sea calm.
some value to mariners instrument still represented.Otherwise, there would be called in his honor one of the ships, which set off on a journey of the famous expedition of explorer Jean-Francois La Perouse.The ship "Astrolabe" - one of the two involved in the expedition mysteriously disappeared in the late eighteenth century.
Decoration With the advent of the Renaissance "amnesty" received not only a variety of tools for the study of the world, but also decoration, passion for collecting.Astrolabe - a device, among other things, is often used to predict the fate of the movements of the stars, but because it has been decorated with various symbols and signs.Europeans have adopted the habit of the Arabs to create exact in terms of measurements and elegant equipment.Astrolabe began to appear in the collections of the court.Knowledge of astronomy is considered the foundation of education, possession of instrument emphasized learning and taste of the owner.
Crown collection
Beautiful instruments inlaid with precious stones.Signs shape of leaves and tendrils.For dressing tool used gold and silver.
Some artists almost entirely devoted themselves to the art of astrolabes.In the XVI century, the most famous of them was considered Fleming Gualterus Arsenius.For collectors of his products have been the standard of beauty and grace.In 1568 he was ordered by another astrolabe.The device for measuring the position of the stars meant the Austrian army colonel Albrecht von Wallenstein.Today, the copy is kept in the museum to them.MVLomonosov.
shrouded in mystery
Astrolabe, somehow slips in many legends and mystical events of the past.Thus, the Arab stage in its history has given the world the myth of the treacherous Sultan and academic abilities court astrologer Biruni.The ruler, the hidden for centuries because of ganged up on his soothsayer, decided using tricks to get rid of him.The astrologer should specify exactly how the output from the audience take advantage of his master, or suffer a just punishment.In their calculations Biruni took the astrolabe, and record the results on a piece of paper, put it under the carpet.Tricky Sultan ordered his servants to cut down the pass in the wall and went through it.When he returned, he opened the paper and read there prediction message, to anticipate his actions.Biruni was acquitted and released.
inexorable movement of progress
Today astrolabe - a part of the past astronomy.Focusing on areas with its help was no longer appropriate since the beginning of the XVIII century, when there was a sextant.Periodically, the device is still used, but even after a century or so astrolabe finally migrated to the shelves of collectors and lovers of antiquities.
Modernity
approximate understanding of the structure and functioning of the device gives it a modern descendant - planisphere.This is a map onto which the stars and planets.Its components, fixed and movable parts, much like a base and drive.To determine the correct position of the stars in a particular part of the sky is needed upper moving element, the parameters corresponding to the desired latitude.Similarly, guided and astrolabe.The hands you can even make the likeness planisphere.This model will give an idea of the possibilities of its ancient predecessor.
living legend
Ready astrolabe can be bought in the souvenir shops, sometimes it appears in the collections of decorative products, taking as a basis sim style punk.Operating devices find, unfortunately, it is difficult.Planisphere also rare on the shelves of our stores.Interesting items can be found on overseas websites, but worth a movable card will be like the one cast-iron bridge.Self-construction business model may be, it requires a lot of time, but the result is worth it and the kids just love it.
starry sky, so pervasive occupy the minds of the ancients, it is striking in its beauty and mystery and modern man.These devices, such as the astrolabe, makes it a little closer to us a little clearer.Museum and gift option unit also allows you to experience the wisdom of our ancestors two thousand years ago, to create tools to fairly accurately reflect the world and find our place in it.
Today astrolabe - a stylish souvenir, an interesting history and its eye-catching design unusual.Once it was a major breakthrough in astronomy to relate the position of celestial bodies with the terrain, virtually the only chance of understanding where the vast ocean or the desert lost traveler.And let the device loses greatly in functional terms with its modern counterparts, it will always be an important part of history, a subject shrouded in a romantic veil of secrecy, and therefore is unlikely to be lost for centuries.
