The History and Use of the Astrolabe

Central Connecticut State University.

This all workshop will be led by Professor of Astronomy Kristine Larsen.  Professor Larsen is an expert in the history and use of the planispheric astrolabe, an instrument developed over 1,000 years ago in the middle ages for astronomic, navigation and surveying purposes. Attendees will start in the CCSU Planetarium for a short review of astronomic principles developed by the Roman and Arab scientists of the time.  Then each participant will receive a cardboard copy of an astrolabe and will learn how it was created, how to use it and how to make computations from it.

This seminar will add historical depth to the development of surveying knowledge for the professional land surveyor.  The basic knowledge of astronomy and the principles of navigation are tested in the FS examination, so this workshop is also be germane to surveying technicians.  Basic concepts of time, the pathways of the stars and the determination of latitude and the direction north will be covered.  How to measure vertical and horizontal will be explained and what problems can be solved using the astrolabe.  Finally, the melding of astronomic science with astrology in the astrolabe will be explained.

The astrolabe was a foundational scientific mapping and measuring tool from 900AD to the early 1700s.  Come and spend a day learning how ancient scientists and navigators saw their world, made complex computations, and used a measuring tool that was also a computing device.

Stay tuned for more information!