Armillary Sphere

Armillary sphere. Astronomical details on the sphere include stars indicated by five different symbols. The magnitude table has disappeared due to old damage. The original circle of latitude has been broken off and the missing part has been replaced. On the surviving original part there is still the label, 'MAGN STELLA'. One group of stars is missing through old damage, but the 48 Ptolemaic and the non Ptolemaic constellation of Antinous are drawn. At the end of one constellation there is a male youth. Three Ptolemaic constellations and one star name are not labelled.

Parts of the depictions for the stars are lost through old damage although some repair work has been carried out. On the part of the circle of latitude, close to the equator, there are the letters 'GA' which are the remainder of 'AURIGA'. On the replacement of the missing part of this circle of latitude, there is a new label, in a smaller stamped letter, 'ERICHTHONIVS AGITOR', which is an alternative name for Auriga. The mapping of the sphere is in the so called Demongenet tradition.

This armillary sphere is unusual because the rings have been replaced by a celestial sphere. There is another example of a similar celestial sphere in Nuremburg. For full details about the cartography and construction of this armillary sphere please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0041
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Armillary Sphere
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Aspheris, Petrus
Date made: 1586
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 305 x 170 mm; Diameter of sphere: 140 mm
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