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 volvelle, providing the lengths of day and night at different latitudes. Leaf Ib carries the lunar volvelle. A hole in the centre allows viewing of the compass. The gnomon is hinged and folds flat when not in use. On leaf IIb is the table of latitudes for places in Europe, mainly Germany and France. Leaf IIIa features the compass and degree circle. There is also a wind-ring, with the cardinal points marked in Latin. The compass is set on a rotatable disc with a shaped pointer, so that it can be adjusted for magnetic variation and the meridian line is marked. Leaf IIIb has a stereographic projection on the plane of the Tropic of Capricorn. There was probably originally a fine string attached to the centre of the projection to act as a rule. When this was stretched across the projection, the equivalent equal hours for the planetary hours could be found at the equinoxes and the solstices.

This Schissler compendium is similar to AST0206 and also to one, dated 1555, in the Mensing Collection, now in the Adler Planetarium, Chicago (inventory no. M-364). The projection is marked with the Tropics and the Equator as well as both equal hours and planetary hours. On leaf IIIa, the compendium is signed 'CHRISTOFFERVS.SCHISSLER.ME.FECIT.AVGVSTE.ANNO.DOMINI.15.56.'.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.