The Meridian Astrolabe
A planispheric astrolabe calibrated to a body that sits directly behind the Sun.
- Description
- A planispheric astrolabe of brass and bronze, finely engraved, of a make the Department cannot place. Its rete and rule are calibrated for a body occupying the point of sky directly behind the Sun — one no terrestrial instrument can confirm, and which its maker evidently could.
- Provenance
- A gift, on indefinite loan, of a distant correspondent who signs each letter "travel safely." The provenance ends, courteously, where the correspondent does.
- Condition
- Excellent, and fully working. Released, one pointer returns to the body it was made to track.
- Notes
- Working collection. The calibration is not in error and is not to be adjusted.