'On This Day' from culturepics.org

. Combined nocturnal and horary quadrant. This is the earliest known work by Eufrosino della Volpaia and one of the earliest scientific instruments to be signed and dated by the maker. Technical details: For use with Little Bear, not Great Bear Obverse:
1516
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings. In the centre there is a gilt terrestrial globe, mounted on the polar axis. The globe shows a fantastical random distribution of lands and seas, with 'SPAGNA' and 'FRANCI
1543
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere horizon ring
1547
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere stand
1547
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings, two of which are fixed perpendicularly to each other and represent the colures. The colures are labelled and there are graduated scales at the rim of the rings; the numbers are located
1547
National Maritime Museum

. George Hartman (1489-1564) moved to Nuremberg, an important centre for the production of scientific instruments, in 1518 and was probably the most prolific instrument maker during the first quarter of the 16th century. It is not surprising, therefore, t
1548
National Maritime Museum

. The arrangement of the strapwork on the rete helps to place the manufacture of this astrolabe to the town of Lyon at around 1550. At this time, Lyon was one of Europe's leading centres for clock- and watchmakers and Jean Naze was a maker of such in
1553
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 42°-54° North. It is split into six leaves containing a nocturnal, a lunar volvelle, a horizontal dial, a table of latitudes, a compass and a stereographic projection. Leaf Ia contains the nocturnal and volv
1556
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitudes 0°-80° North for the equinoctial dial (53° North for the horizontal dial). This dial consists of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia is that of a standard equinoctial dial (see related terms) and car
1556
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 42°-54° North. It is split into six leaves and contains a table of latitudes, a horizontal dial, a lunar volvelle and almanac and a planispheric projection of the North celestial hemisphere. Leaf Ia displays
1560
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitudes 0°-80° North for equinoctial dial (54° North for horizontal dial). Rectangular ivory dial consisting of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia is that of a standard equinoctial dial (see related terms)
1562
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. Four column stand with circular base. Columns in form of figures; two male and two female. Compas set in centre of base plate. Engraved with name of the winds.The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings. In the centre there is a s
1568
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 37°-53° North. This compendium consists of a lunar volvelle, a volvelle for converting common hours to Italian hours, a horizontal dial, a compass, a table of latitudes and a wind-ring. The lid and the base
1569
National Maritime Museum

Cole astronomical compendium dial. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 0°-90° North. This oval-shaped instrument has five leaves held together by small brass pegs. Engraved on leaf Ia is an image of Juno, together with three peacocks and two myt
1569
National Maritime Museum

. Ferdinand Arsenius (active 1573-1628) was an engraver of both scientific instruments and maps. He appears to have been the son of the celebrated Louvian master, Gualterus Arsenius, with whom he made several instruments between 1573-80. The throne comp
1573
National Maritime Museum

. Although several characteristics of this astrolabe are reminiscent of those by Gerard Mercator (1512-94), such as the throne and arrangement of some of the inscriptions, it is unlikely that he actually made this instrument. Mercator's three known a
1574
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium dial for latitudes 39°-54° North. This compendium consists of a lid hinged to a base with a set of three separate horizontal dial-plates. On the outside of the lid is a table of latitudes consisting mainly of places in So
1575
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium
1577
National Maritime Museum

Horizontal sun and moon dial. Horizontal sun and moon dial for latitude 46° North. It has an octagonal dial-plate with a rectangular extension for the compass on one side. The dial-plate has an outer circular lunar age scale inside of which is a rotat
1577
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitudes 42°-54° North. This rectangular ivory dial consists of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Inscribed at the top of leaf Ia is an instruction concerning the dial that notes that the hole '54' is require
1580
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitude 48° North. The dial comprises two leaves that fold together when not in use. Leaf Ia features a windrose with 16 points, on which the winds are named radially in Italian and Latin around the edge. On leaf Ib is a lunar volv
1582
National Maritime Museum

. Horizontal pedestal dial for latitude 52° North. The square base has a screw hole at each corner for the attachment of the dial to a base. The hour circle is numbered clockwise IIII-XI, [XII], I-VIII, divided to 30 minutes. The shadow is cast by a t
1582
National Maritime Museum

. Regiomontanus dial for latitudes 30°-66° North. This dial comprises a rectangular gilt-brass plate with a regiomontanus dial on one side and a nocturnal on the other. The upper section of the plate is occupied by a trigon in which are drawn the
1584
National Maritime Museum

. This unusual instrument gives the time in Italian hours. The inscribed date 1586 was added several decades later in a different hand. The hour scale is marked only faintly in ink and has been partly rubbed away. The back of the instrument has a short ex
circa 1505
National Maritime Museum

. Little is known about the tradition of instrument making in Heidelberg and the maker of this astrolabe is presently unknown. Its construction is fine and delicate and seems to be the work of trained instrument makers. It is gilded and the letters and nu
1588
National Maritime Museum

. Combined nocturnal, lunar volvelle and Rojas projection. This instrument is more of a compendium than a pure nocturnal, but the shape shows that it was mainly used as a nocturnal. The Rojas projection allows it to be used as a sundial, and the inclusion
1589
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 0°-74° North. It has a lid and a base that open, leaving a central ring. The instrument includes a Rojas projection and a volvelle for calculating the length of day/night which both appear on the outside of
1592
National Maritime Museum

. Box for the astronomical compendium for latitudes 0°-74° North. For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.

National Maritime Museum

. Combined nocturnal, lunar dial and Rojas dial. Definitely a fake. Nocturnal for use with Great Bear only. Compass on bracket support for suspension ring. Obverse: Two rotatable discs and pointer arm pivoted to centre and held together by screw and w
20th centruy
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitude 49° North (vertical dial). It is divided into six leaves. Leaf Ia features a windrose with 16 points marked; eight of them named in German. Pivoted at the centre of the leaf is a hand-shaped indicator and at the
1597
National Maritime Museum

. [Instrument on the left hand side of the image] Combined nocturnal, sundial and lunar volvelle. Obverse Nocturnal with a bracket and suspension ring on urn-shaped mount, which also holds a compass. Rotatable ring rather than disc. The main disc has
1597
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium comprising of a nocturnal (slit type), epact calendar, table of latitudes, universal equinoctial dial, magnetic compass and lunar volvelle with aspectarium. The accompanying Rojas projection disc is not part of the original item
1600
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. Single stem stand. Horizon ring and four supporting arms, removable. Rings with symbols for the Sun and Moon. Pink/red/white marble Earth in centre on cranked mounting. The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings, two of which ar
1602
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. Single stem turned stand. Four arms support the horizon ring. Revolves with the top half of the stand. Eight winds named. small movable compass under horizon ring. The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings. In the centre, there
1602
National Maritime Museum

. One half of a contemporary case for armillary sphere AST0633 shaped to the instrument.
1602
National Maritime Museum

. Horizontal pedestal dial for latitude 52° North. The dial has an octagonal bronze dial-plate with four screw holes. It has an hour-circle, within which is a minute-circle. The hour-lines radiate from a small circle around the base of the gnomon. The
1606
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitude 48° North. Rectangular ivory dial consisting of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia is a standard windrose (see related terms) except the directions are named in full in German and it is offset approximately
1619
National Maritime Museum

. Astronomical compendium for latitudes 0°-90° North. This compendium consists of two hinged, flat plates that fold over the main body of the instrument, the upper carrying the lunar volvelle, nocturnal and the table of latitudes, and the lower ho
1623
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. Single stem ball stand with wooden base. Four arms supporting the horizon ring. The whole sphere moves from half way down the base column. The horizon ring is engraved with names of the eight winds, months and zodiac names and division
1624
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitudes 45°-54° North. This dial consists of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia displays a windrose with the compass points named in German, surrounded by a circle with eight winds named in Italian. Inscribed a
1624
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitudes 42°-54° North. Rectangular diptych dial consisting of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf I is chipped at its right-hand corner (the non-hinged end). Leaf Ia displays a standard windrose except eight winds
1628
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for 42°-54° North. Rectangular ivory dial consisting of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia displays a standard windrose (see related terms) on which eight winds are named in Italian. On leaf Ib the dial at the top of
1638
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitude 51° North. This dial has two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia contains an equinoctial dial with a projection of solar declination lines. Leaf Ib carries the Southern half of the equinoctial dial and the vertic
1661
National Maritime Museum

. Portable horizontal dial for latitude 49° North. The dial-plate is oval shaped. On the obverse side is an hour scale depicted on a scroll. The dial is marked 'pour 49 deg' (for 49 degrees) and features a centrally placed rose decoration. T
1670
National Maritime Museum

. Universal equinoctial dial for latitudes 0°-90° North, in the shape of an irregular octagon. On the obverse side of the dial-plate is a coat of arms set on engraved ground which features two leopards holding a crest. Hinged to the North end of t
1671
National Maritime Museum

. Armillary sphere. Brass ornate tripod stand with removeable compass set in base, engraved with the names of the eight winds.The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings. In the centre there is a small brass terrestrial globe. On the terrestrial sphe
1676
National Maritime Museum

. Combined nocturnal, sundial and tide table. Rare example of instrument with tide table for coastal towns on Europe on the rotatable disc. Main disc has date scale with named months, also a lunar-age scale anticlockwise divided 1 - 30 by 1. Rotatable dis
1681
National Maritime Museum

. Augsburg dial for latitudes 0°-90° North. Standard dial (see related terms) except for the following details:- It has a silver dial-plate on which an engraved arrow in the compass indicates the magnetic variation at 10° West of North. The g
1682
National Maritime Museum

. Perpetual calendar made from a disc of silver with raised decoration. The tables of calendaric information similar to single year calendars, but usable for all years. The calendar is a type B.2 and the inscription reads "EASTER 1685" "W.
1685
National Maritime Museum

. Base for case
1688
National Maritime Museum

. Lid for case
1688
National Maritime Museum

. Universal equinoctial dial for latitudes 10°-90° North. The obverse and reverse sides of the dial-plate both contain tables of latitude for towns and cities in Europe. Hinged to the North side of the dial-plate is an hour-circle. The gnomon supp
1688
National Maritime Museum

. Standard wooden nocturnal except for following details: For use with Little Bear only. Handle is pierced by semicircle and inverted tear-drop. Some decoration on the handle. The main disc is rather warped. Reverse only has a 16 point compass rose with p
1693
National Maritime Museum

. Ring dial for latitude 48° North. It carries a fixed bracket and a suspension ring. There are rectangular recesses along the centre of the ring near the top, either side of the suspension bracket in which the pinhole gnomons are set. On the outer fa
1696
National Maritime Museum

. This is a rare example of an astrolabe that has been printed on paper, cut out, and mounted on a board. Other surviving examples are mostly French or German and are from the 16th century. This instrument is a 'complete' astrolabe, incorporatin
1702
National Maritime Museum

. Single year, perpetual calendar made from bronze with gold-coloured finish. One side has a grid of the days of the month at the centre with three rings of writing around the edge. On the other side has five rings of writing and numbers with a sun shape
1716
National Maritime Museum

. Perpetual calendar with tables of calendaric information similar to single year calendars, but usable for all years. One side has a table with the numbers of the months and days with decorative flourishes at the edges. Around the table are three rings o
1718
National Maritime Museum

Transit instrument. This 5-foot (153 cm) telescope is the earliest at the Observatory that can definitely be associated with its history. Instruments of this sort were a relatively recent invention and Halley's was possibly the first made in England.
1721
National Maritime Museum

. Fragment of Halley's mural quadrant
1725
National Maritime Museum

. Perpetual calendar with tables of calendaric information. One side has a table with the numbers of the months and days with decorative flourishes on two edges. Around the table are three rings of text. The other side has five rings of text and numbers w
1725
National Maritime Museum

Mural quadrant. Both Halley's and Bradley's 8-foot (244 cm) mural quadrants are mounted on a wall of nine massive stone blocks set into the bedrock of Greenwich Hill. Halley, who had made a name for himself studying the less well known stars of
1725
National Maritime Museum

Zenith sector. Plumb bob weight from zenith sector telescope which was constructed by George Graham in 1727 for Bradley's personal use in studying the parallax of the star Gamma Draconis following work he had begun on the detection of parallax at Kew
1727
National Maritime Museum

Zenith sector. This telescope was constructed by George Graham in 1727 for Bradley's personal use in studying the parallax of the star Gamma Draconis. When he was appointed third Astronomer Royal in 1742, Bradley only agreed to bring this instrument
1727
National Maritime Museum

. Diptych dial for latitude 50° North. This is a rectangular ivory dial consisting of two leaves that fold flat when not in use. Leaf Ia features a standard windrose (see related terms). Leaf Ib is as standard except there is no dial for daylight hour
1733
National Maritime Museum

Portable reflector telescope. This is a portable Gregorian (reflector) telescope. It is signed JAMES SHORT EDINBURGH 1734.3.27 referring to the date it was made. Telescope: The barrel is made of brass and painted black. It is a Gregorian of 76.2mm (3
1734
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar made from a disc of bronze with a gold-coloured finish. The calendar is for a single year and is a type A. The inscription reads "T. Turner Fec" "AN ALMANACK For the Year 1742" "1742 BIRMINGHAM" This was part of
1742
National Maritime Museum

A chronometer or time piece. Technical engraving. Calendar entitled 'Achronometer or time piece' illustrated with engravings of figures etc. Calendar shows dates from1753 - 1800, the months and number of days, signs of the zodiac, royal birthda
1745
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1747. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze, which has tarnished and become worn. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of da
1747
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1748. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze, which has tarnished. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of days. Around the e
1748
National Maritime Museum

. Bracket
1750
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1750. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze, which has tarnished and become worn. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of da
1750
National Maritime Museum

. Universal equinoctial ring dial for latitudes 0°-90° North. Standard dial (see related terms) except for the following details:- The dial is for northern latitudes only and the bridge and suspension ring are missing. A bracket is riveted to th
1750
National Maritime Museum

Mural quadrant. Bradley's quadrant follows the same design as Halley's, the main difference being the metal used. After twenty years of use, the frame of Halley's iron quadrant had buckled under its own weight and become inaccurate. Bradley
1750
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1752. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze, which has tarnished and become worn. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of da
1752
National Maritime Museum

. Horizontal pedestal dial for latitude 53° North. The bronze, circular dial-plate has an hour-circle and a minute-circle round its outer edge. Just inside the hour-circle, midday is marked for various cities by name and with a 'XII' at the
1753
National Maritime Museum

. Portable horizontal dial for latitude 48° 20' North. The dial is rectangular and engraved on the obverse side only. The hour scale is depicted on a heart-shaped scroll. There are five consecutive minute scales to allow the division of time to o
1753
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1754. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze with a dark and shiny finish. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of days. Arou
1754
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1758. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze with a dark and shiny finish. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of days. Arou
1758
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1759. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of days. Around the edge of the table are
1759
National Maritime Museum

. Universal equinoctial ring dial for 0°-90° North. Standard dial (see related terms) except for the following details:- The dial is for northern latitudes only and the latitude scale on the obverse side of the meridian ring is divided clockwise
1759
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1760. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze with a gold-coloured finish. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations and a table with the numbers for the number of days. Aroun
1760
National Maritime Museum

. Calendar for the single year of 1765. The calendar is made from a disc of bronze, which has tarnished. The calendar has a hole at the edge and another near the edge. On one side of the calendar is a table with the months in three letter abbreviations an
1765
National Maritime Museum

Centre du Monde. Systêmes de Ptolomée et de Ticho-Brahé. One of the set of 17 highly coloured and decorative French terrestrial and celestial engravings, entitled 'Centre of the World. Systems of Ptolemy and Tycho Brahe'. A d
1761
National Maritime Museum

Climats d'Heures et de Mois. This is one of 17 hand-coloured and decorative terrestrial and celestial engravings published in Paris in 1761, entitled 'Climates of the Hours and the Months', indicating details such as length of day at differ
1761
National Maritime Museum

Colures, Tropiques, circles Polaires, et leur usage. This is one of 17 hand-coloured and decorative terrestrial and celestial engravings published in Paris in 1761, entitled 'Colures, Tropics, polar circles and their usage'. Each presents variou
1761
National Maritime Museum

De la Longtitude et de la Latitude. This is one of 17 hand-coloured and decorative terrestrial and celestial engravings published in Paris in 1761, entitled 'On Longitude and Latitude'. Each presents various astronomical and geographical ideas,
1761
National Maritime Museum

Quick links

Filters

Source

Year

About this site

Technology overview

Licence