Astrolabe
noun
An old tool used by astronomers and navigators to measure the position of stars and planets.
Ancient sailors used the astrolabe to guide their way across the ocean.

Often appears as...
- ancient astrolabe
- nautical astrolabe
Usage tips
Formal
Academic, Technical
noun
A computer software or online tool which serves the same function as the ancient astrolabe.
Many astronomy apps now include a digital astrolabe.

Often appears as...
- digital astrolabe
- online astrolabe
Usage tips
Modern, General, Technical
noun
An old tool used by astronomers and navigators to measure the position of stars and planets.
Ancient sailors used the astrolabe to guide their way across the ocean.

Often appears as...
- ancient astrolabe
- nautical astrolabe
Usage tips
Formal
Academic, Technical
noun
A computer software or online tool which serves the same function as the ancient astrolabe.
Many astronomy apps now include a digital astrolabe.

Often appears as...
- digital astrolabe
- online astrolabe
Usage tips
Modern, General, Technical
Definition 1 of 2

Historical Importance
Understand astrolabes were key for ancient navigation and astronomy, much like GPS today.

Historians value the astrolabe as a treasure of ancient science.
Cultural Significance
Recognize the astrolabe as an icon of exploration, often found in old maps and maritime art.

The museum displayed a 15th-century astrolabe, symbolizing the Age of Discovery.
Technical Context
Astrolabe references in academics often connect to history or science, especially astronomy.

Our astronomy class learned how astrolabes revolutionized celestial observations.
Historical Importance
Understand astrolabes were key for ancient navigation and astronomy, much like GPS today.

Historians value the astrolabe as a treasure of ancient science.
Cultural Significance
Recognize the astrolabe as an icon of exploration, often found in old maps and maritime art.

The museum displayed a 15th-century astrolabe, symbolizing the Age of Discovery.
Technical Context
Astrolabe references in academics often connect to history or science, especially astronomy.

Our astronomy class learned how astrolabes revolutionized celestial observations.
Historical Importance
Understand astrolabes were key for ancient navigation and astronomy, much like GPS today.

Historians value the astrolabe as a treasure of ancient science.
Cultural Significance
Recognize the astrolabe as an icon of exploration, often found in old maps and maritime art.

The museum displayed a 15th-century astrolabe, symbolizing the Age of Discovery.
Technical Context
Astrolabe references in academics often connect to history or science, especially astronomy.

Our astronomy class learned how astrolabes revolutionized celestial observations.
Video examples
Tom Wujec demos the...
It was the world's first popular computer. And it was a device that, in fact, is a model of the sky. So, the different parts of the astrolabe, in this particular type, the rete corresponds to the positions of the stars. The plate corresponds to a coordinate system.
Video examples
Tom Wujec demos the...
It was the world's first popular computer. And it was a device that, in fact, is a model of the sky. So, the different parts of the astrolabe, in this particular type, the rete corresponds to the positions of the stars. The plate corresponds to a coordinate system.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Tom Wujec
Canadian Author
An astrolabe is relatively unknown in today's world. But, at the time, in the 13th century, it was the gadget of the day. It was the world's first popular computer. And it was a device that, in fact, is a model of the sky.

Quote examples
Tom Wujec
Canadian Author
An astrolabe is relatively unknown in today's world. But, at the time, in the 13th century, it was the gadget of the day. It was the world's first popular computer. And it was a device that, in fact, is a model of the sky.

Example 1 of 1
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension