Astrolabe, by 'Ibn Muhibb Haqiqa, Indo-Persian, 1647/8

Parts

It comprises: a mater, a rete, 6 plates, an alidade, a green cord (`ilaqa).

Throne

The throne is of the indo-persian, broad type, it is attached with a integrated base.

Ring

The ring is of the simple, round cross-section type (i.e. simple plain ring made from a round rod or piece of metal).

Shackle

Shackle of the omega type (i.e. Ω-shaped shackle).

Mater

The mater and limb are of two pieces, soldered construction. The rim is marked with a degree scale 0-360° divided every 5 degrees, subdivided every degree, and labelled in Abjad numerals every 5 degrees.

Womb

The womb is engraved as a gazetteer, giving the latitudes and longitudes of 34 towns in India, Persia, Arabia, etc.

Back

The back is engraved with degree and cotangent scales, a sine quadrant, the arcs of the signs with a graph of meridian altitudes of the sun for latitudes 32° and 37°, and an astrological table.

Rete

The rete is of the foliate type. The east-west bar is counter-changed. There is a single knob for rotation. It features 17 stars.

Zodiac label

The ecliptic circle is divided every 6 degrees. The zodiac is labelled: الحمل , الثور , الجوزا , السرطان , الاسد , السنبله , الميزان , العقرب , القوس , الجدي , الدلو , الحوت.

Pin and horse

The rete is attached using a nut and bolt. The horse and pin are missing.

Alidade

Double-ended, original.

Plates

There are 6 plates, for latitudes 18°14', 29°; 21°40' (for Mecca), 35°; 26°, 28°; 27°, 32°; 34°, 36°; a tablet of horizons, and a tablet of co-ordinates of the ecliptic (shown); the plates are variously engraved with azimuths below the horizon, and lines for unequal, Babylonian, and Italian hours, in addition to the usual almucantars.