Mariner's Astrolabe

The Mariner’s Astrolabe was an important navigation tool used during the Age of Exploration, mainly in the 15th and 16th centuries. It’s a flat, circular device marked with degrees, allowing sailors to measure the angle of celestial objects, like the Sun or stars, above the horizon. By accurately determining these angles, navigators could calculate their latitude—how far north or south they were from the equator—at sea. The Mariner’s Astrolabe helped sailors chart safer routes across uncharted waters, improving maritime navigation and exploration during that era.