The Planispheric

Astrolabe
The planispheric astrolabe is called
that way because it is the projection
of a sphere on a plane.
1. North pole
is at the center of the
astrolabe.
2. Zenith
which depends on the
latitude for which the plate
is designed.
3. circle of the Cancer
tropic
4. Equatorial circle
5. circle of the Capricorn
tropic
that defines the limits of
the astrolabe.
6. horizon circle.
7. Civil twilight arc.
8. Nautical twilight arc.
9. Astronomical twilight
arc.
10. Altitude circles
above the horizon.
also called Almicantarats.
11. Azimuth circles.
Determine the hour of rise (or set)
of a star on the rete, at a given
date.
Let's consider an astrolabe built for Casablanca in
Marocco (latitude 33° 39' N). At what time the star Vega
in the Lyra constellation, will set on the horizon, on
September 21st?
On the back of the
astrolabe, rotate the
alidade to point
September 21st (1).
The ecliptic longitude is
read, around 178° (2).
On the front of the
astrolabe, rotate the rete
until Vega is on the
horizon, on the evening
side (3).
Rotate the ruler to point
178° of ecliptic
longitude (4).
Read the solar hour on
the limb (5), here around
2h55 a.m.
To find the rising
hour of the star,
move Vega on the
other side of the
horizon (6).
Move the ruler to
178° of ecliptic
longitude (7).
Read the solar hour
on the limb (8),
here between 10h35
and 10h40 a.m.
 Determine the instant
of culmination of a star
on the rete, at a given
date.
Let's consider an astrolabe built for Firenze in Italy (latitude 43°
46' N). At what time the star Altair, in the constellation of Aquila
will culminate above the horizon, on September 21st?
On the back of the
astrolabe, we find that
the ecliptic longitude for
this date is 178°, by
using the same method
seen in the previous
exercise.
On the front of the
astrolabe, rotate the
rete to move Altair on
the meridian line,
between the pole and
South(1).
Rotate the ruler to
178° of ecliptic
longitude (2).
Then read the solar
hour on the limb (3),
here between 7h55
and 8h in the evening.