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history, science, technology, astronomical, instrument, star, heaven, name, astronomer, database, astrolabe

The Museum of the History of Science houses the world's largest and most important collection of astrolabes. With ancient origins and a two thousand year history, the astrolabe illuminates astronomy, time-telling, astrology and religion across cultures, time and place. The Museum's collection ranges from India and the Middle East to Europe, with many unique and significant examples.
This website provides three separate but interlinked sections:
• Exhibition - an introduction based on the Museum's exhibition 'The Astrolabe, East and West'.
• Guide - an online handbook introducing the history, form and function of the instrument.
• Catalogue - a uniquely comprehensive account of all the astrolabes in the Museum collection: browsable, searchable and fully illustrated.