Astrolabes

An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used by astronomers and navigators to observe the sky and solve various practical problems, such as determining the time of day or night and locating celestial objects. It consists of a disk (the mater) with movable parts that can be aligned with specific stars or the sun. By adjusting the device based on the user's observations, one can measure angles and find their position on Earth or in the sky. Overall, it’s a sophisticated tool that embodies early scientific understanding of astronomy and navigation.