Perspectives on Global Development and Technology

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The Astrolabe

An ancient instrument for solving problems of location and distance, as well as time

Astrolábon órganon is the word used in Ptolemaeus Syntaxis 5.1 to describe a form of armillary sphere consisting of both fixed and rotating rings for determining the ecliptic co-ordinates of stars. Also called astrolabe were two-dimensional representations of the celestial sphere: over fixed disks with a representation of the horizon of the earth (in each case for a specific geographic latitude) and its parallels up to the zenith lies a rotating representation of the heavens (called ‘spider’ or ‘net’) with zodiac and indicators for some of the brightest stars. On the back is an indicator (‘alidade’) with visor plates for calculating the height of the stars. The astrolabe allows its user to determine the hours of day and night, the positions of stars, and the height and depth of objects on earth (mountains, buildings, wells). The oldest extant descriptions of the flat, planispheric astrolabe come from Iohannes Philoponus, 6th century AD, and (in Syrian) from Severus Sebokht, c. 660 AD. Indirect references may date back as early as Theon (4th cent.). Between the 8th and the 9th centuries the Arabs appropriated the knowledge of the astrolabe. At the end of the 10th century and again in the 12th century, they passed it on to Western Europe, where astrolabes were constructed up until the 17th cent. Today, one Byzantine astrolabe (from 1062) is extant, as are some 750 Arabic-Islamic astrolabes and approximately the same number of European astrolabes.

This information is abstracted from Brill's New Pauly, the English edition of the authoritative Der Neue Pauly, Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World. The encyclopaedic coverage and high academic standard of the work, the interdisciplinary and contemporary approach and clear and accessible presentation have made the New Pauly the unrivalled modern reference work for the ancient world. For more information see www.brillsnewpauly.com or visit our website catalog: www.brill.nl/bnp
Brill’s New Pauly and the complete original Der Neue Pauly, the recognized standard reference works for students and scholars of the ancient world are also available online. This dual-language edition offers basic and advanced search facilities and is fully browsable. New English translations are added as they become available. See www.paulyonline.brill.nl for more information and a demo version.

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Publications & Services> Books> Book Series> Perspectives on Global Development and Technology

Perspectives on Global Development and Technology

Edited by Rubin Patterson, University of Toledo

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ISSN:	1569-1500
E-ISSN:	1569-1497

Current:	Volume 8 (2009)
Number of Issues:	4
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Copy Editor: Forrestine Barnes (Howard University USA) Book review Editor: Derrick Cogburn (Syracuse University, USA) Editorial Board Members: Catherine Nyaki Adeya (United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies, the Netherlands), Abdul Alkalimat (University of Toledo, USA), Mehdi Parvizi Amineh (Amsterdam School for Social Science Research/ASSSR, University of Amsterdam and International Institute for Asian Studies/IIAS, University of Leiden), Suma Athreye (Open University, England), Chris Benner (Pennsylvania State University, USA), Antonio Jose J. Botelho (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), James Bozeman (Lewis College of Business, USA), Christopher J. Chetsanga (Scientific and Industrial Research & Development Centre, Zimbabwe), Ricardo Dello Buono (Dominican University, USA/Panama), S.N. Eisenstadt (Hebrew University, Israel), Edson Satoshi Gomi (University of Sao Paulo, Brazil), Ronald Kempe Hope (University of Botswana, Botswana), Joseph Jabbra (Loyala Marymount University, USA), Paul Keese (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria), Jong-Ho Kim (Kyung Hee University, South Korea), Kong-Rae Lee (Science and Technology Policy Institute, South Korea), Linda Low (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Robin Mansell (London School of Economics, England), Cecilia Menjivar (Arizona State University (USA), Gideon B. A. Okelo (African Academy of Sciences, Kenya), Daniel Schaffer (Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy), Wesley Shrum (Louisiana State University, USA), Paulo Siqueira (ICS-UNIDO Initiative for Latin America, Italy/Brazil), Wole O. Soboyejo (Princeton University, USA), Ernest J. Wilson III (University of Maryland, USA), Wong Poh Kam (National University of Singapore, Singapore).

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A B I - INFORM (American Business Information) Abstracts on Hygiene and Communicable Diseases) AgBiotech News and Information Agricultural Engineering Abstracts CAB Abstracts GEOBase International Bibliography of Book Reviews of Scolarly Literature International Bibliography of the Social Sciences International Political Science Abstracts Internationale Bibliographie der Zeitschriftenliteratur aus allen Gebieten des Wissens / International Bibliography of Periodicals from all Fields of Knowledge Irrigation & Drainage Abstracts PAIS International (Public Affairs Information Service) Plant Breeding Abstracts Plant Genetic Recources Abstracts Political Science Abstracts SCOPUS Social Services Abstracts Sociological Abstracts Soils & Fertilizers Tropical Diseases Bulletin World Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Abstracts

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Call for papers Special Issue: Microfinance and Society Click here Perspectives on Global Development and Technology (PGDT) is a peer-reviewed journal for the discussion of current social sciences research on diverse socio-economic development issues that reflect the opportunities and threats brought about by the world order shift from bipolar to global, the present economic liberalization that constricts development options, and the new enabling technologies of the Information Age. A founding principle of PGDT is that all people are entitled to scientific and technological knowledge to promote human development. PGDT is the international forum where the questions associated with this endeavour are thoroughly examinated and clearly communicated. For back volumes or issues older than 2 years, please contact Periodicals Service Company, 11 Main Street, Germantown, NY 12526, USA psc@periodicals.com / www.periodicals.com/brill.html

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