User:Fenixels/Astrolabe/Bibliography

Astrolabe is a scientific instrument used in astronomy that was later made into a hobby. In its simplest form it is a metal disc with a pattern of wires, cutouts, and perforations that allows you to calculate astronomical positions precisely. It is most commonly used to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial bodies such as stars or planets. A less common use for an astrolabe is as a sundial. The charge plate provides the time indication which makes this instrument a heat-beat type sundial with an hour hand usually found on many other sundials. During the middle ages, the astrolabe was known as one of the most widely popular and used scientific instruments. However, many Greek texts and other documents from great societies testify that similar instruments to the astrolabe have been in development ever since second century BCE.