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astrolabe
(redirected from Astrolobe)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
as·tro·labe  (str-lb)
n.
A medieval instrument, now replaced by the sextant, that was once used to determine the altitude of the sun or other celestial bodies.

[Middle English astrelabie, from Old French astrelabe, from Medieval Latin astrolabium, from Greek astrolabon, planisphere : astro-, astro- + lambanein, lab-, to take.]

astrolabe [ˈæstrəˌleɪb]
n
(Mathematics & Measurements / Navigation) (Astronomy) (Engineering / Tools) an instrument used by early astronomers to measure the altitude of stars and planets and also as a navigational aid. It consists of a graduated circular disc with a movable sighting device Compare sextant
[via Old French and Medieval Latin from Greek, from astrolabos (adj), literally: star-taking, from astron star + lambanein to take]

astrolabe  (str-lb)
An ancient instrument used widely in medieval times by navigators and astronomers to determine latitude, longitude, and time of day. The device employed a disk with 360 degrees marked on its circumference. Users took readings from an indicator that pivoted around the center of the suspended device like the hand of a clock. The astrolabe was replaced by the sextant in the 18th century.

astrolabe
a navigational instrument formerly used for taking bearings of the sun and stars. See also representation.
See also: Instruments
a stereographic projection of the earth, as a sphere, on the plane of one of the great circles. Also called planisphere.
See also: Representation
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.astrolabe - an early form of sextantastrolabe - an early form of sextant            
sextant - a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
Translations
astrolabe [ˈæstrəʊleɪb] Nastrolabio m
astrolabe
nAstrolab(ium) nt


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