Early astronomers used devices like the astrolabe and the sextant to find the altitude of a star. The astrolabe, which dates back to ancient Greece, allowed astronomers to measure the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon. The sextant, developed later, is more precise for measuring angular distances and was particularly useful for navigation at sea. Both instruments played a crucial role in understanding the positions of stars and planets.
An astrolabe is actually a navigational tool used in ancient times to determine the altitude of celestial bodies like stars and planets. It consists of a metal disc with markings to aid in measuring angles and time, used for navigation and astronomy purposes. It helped sailors and astronomers locate themselves based on the position of celestial bodies in the sky.
Northville, MI is at 42 degrees, 26 minutes North. The altitude of the North Star is between 42 degrees and 43 degrees, depending on the time. (Polaris isn't exactly at the North Pole; it is about 1/2 degree off.)
Altitude.
A star's altitude is the angle measured vertically from the horizon to the star's position in the sky. It indicates how high or low the star appears in the sky from a specific location on Earth. The altitude of a star changes as it progresses across the sky due to Earth's rotation.
The device used to determine the altitude of the North Star (Polaris) is called an astrolabe. An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument that allows users to measure the angle of celestial objects above the horizon. By aligning the astrolabe with Polaris, one can determine their latitude based on the altitude of the star. This technique has been used for navigation and understanding one's position on Earth.
Early astronomers used devices like the astrolabe and the sextant to find the altitude of a star. The astrolabe, which dates back to ancient Greece, allowed astronomers to measure the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon. The sextant, developed later, is more precise for measuring angular distances and was particularly useful for navigation at sea. Both instruments played a crucial role in understanding the positions of stars and planets.
astrolabe=star+mechanical clock
Astrolabe: star + Mechanical Clock
An astrolabe is actually a navigational tool used in ancient times to determine the altitude of celestial bodies like stars and planets. It consists of a metal disc with markings to aid in measuring angles and time, used for navigation and astronomy purposes. It helped sailors and astronomers locate themselves based on the position of celestial bodies in the sky.
"Astr" is from the word for "star" and "labe" is from the word "to take". It is an instrument used to take the positions of celestial bodies, hence its label as "star-taker".
An astrolabe is a historical astronomical instrument used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. Its many uses include locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa. There is often confusion between the astrolabe and the mariner's astrolabe. While the astrolabe could be useful for determining latitude on land, it was an awkward instrument for use on the heaving deck of a ship or in wind. The mariner's astrolabe was developed to address these issues. The mariner's astrolabe, also known as a sea astrolabe, was used to determine the latitude of a ship at sea by measuring the sun's noon altitude (declination) or the meridian altitude of a star of a known declination. Taken from Wikipedia
Greek astron "star" and lambanein "to take".
planisphere=star chart+astrolabe
The altitude of polaris for an observer is always the same as your latitude so it would be 64oN
The altitude of the North Star will not change from any point on Earth. However, the declination changes depending upon where you are and when - It is less than 90 degrees.
An astrolabe is a tool used for navigation by sailors at sea. It can be used to find one's latitude by looking at the north star, and general location. The astrolabe finds the angle between the horizon and an object being observed.