's hot stuff, marked time: antiques, various articles in vintage style and retro.Special chic interior based on a similar decor, give tools and appliances, has now lost its relevance, but making some color and create atmosphere.These include, for example, a gramophone or iron iron.However, we are not talking about these fairly common units.The focus of the article - the answer to the question of what the astrolabe.These ancient tools are also now experiencing a rebirth as style attributes with a bias or retro steampunk.
Multifunction Tool
Astrolabe, photos that give a small presentation on the use of the object for a man not related to astronomy - a beautiful and unusual instrument.However, he has a very specific function.Invents a device for measuring the distance from the earth to the stars and planets, which are then used for the orientation of the terrain, the coordinates, and astrological predictions.With the help of an ancient astronomical instrument you can calculate what the stars will be visible at night when the sun comes up, or go down the time.
Origin
Already in the second century BC, scientists have known that such an astrolabe.Tool appeared on the territory of ancient Greece, where he supplemented and somewhat modified over the centuries.Astrolabe, whose photos can be found in the article has been brought into this kind of Theon of Alexandria in the IV.n.e.
spite of Greek origin, the astrolabe owes much to the Arabs.If not, they most likely did not reach such a tool would be to us.
Persecution Church
Middle Ages were not the most fertile time of the development of science in Europe.All the worldly way or another trying to explain the world without resorting to the concept of God, declared false and dangerous.After the fall of the Roman Empire in the century astrolabe was forgotten in the West.At the same time, a new round of stories for the instrument began in the vast Arab countries, where scientists have expanded its capabilities.
Update
Oriental masters made their adjustments to our understanding of what the astrolabe.Now, these tools are not only used for astronomical calculations, terrain orientation and counting time.Arab astrolabe allowed to do complex mathematical calculations to predict the fate of stars.
the vastness of Persia, India and other countries has been created a lot of books, containing a description of the structure and use of tools for different purposes.All prominent scientists had at this device.Then and later, in Europe, the science of the stars, revered as the foundation of all knowledge and wisdom, was the symbol of an astrolabe.How to use the tool, I knew every astrologer, who served as an adviser to the court of the Sultan.
device
design astrolabe consisted of several parts.Base - circumference of brass or copper with the rim on the edge, and a hole in the middle of the outboard ring.The latter helps to locate the device relative to the horizon.The entire length of the circle placed labels - scale coated with her divisions, degrees or hours.Immediately frequently mentioned the situation in large cities.
placed on the basis of the so-called astrolabe tympanum - a drive with stereographic projection of the starry sky.He was awarded the pole of the world, north and Tropic of Capricorn, the point zenith with azimuthal circles.There were several tympanum for different localities.Each different features of the position of the point zenith and the horizon, just in a given latitude.
top of the disc with a projection sky placed lattice, because of the peculiarities of the structure known as "spider."She was provided with pointers to help identify the location of the brightest stars.Arrows are often made in the form of a graceful leaves and curls, making the whole design becomes not only a functionally convenient, but also aesthetically pleasing.
Again in Europe
Through the centuries the West once again learned what the astrolabe, by studying the works of eastern scholars.Europeans began to use Arabic instruments, and then make your own.New instances have also been decorated in the style of oriental counterparts.Soon astrolabe are bright specimens collection nobles.
Today this device - a symbol of secrets: an astrolabe often associated in people's minds with the predictions of astrologers than astronomers with research.For example, the device may be associated with the name, which is now known to many - Maria Duval.Astrolabe gave the name of a company that sends its dubious authorship predictions.But despite these twists of fate, a tool for the majority of today - it's part of the history of astronomy, an interesting symbol of a bygone era and a nice attribute.
