astrolabe
Other forms: astrolabes
An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used for estimating the altitude and predicting the position of celestial objects, such as the moon, other planets, and stars.
The ancient Greeks created most of the fields of study that exist today, and along the way they created many clever devices. One was the astrolabe. An astrolabe had the same purpose as the sextant, which came later: to make astronomical measurements. An astrolabe was portable, and it consisted of a metal disc, a sighting arm, and several rotating parts used in estimating unfathomable distances. The astrolabe was an important invention in the history of astronomy and astrology.
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an early form of sextanttype of:sextanta measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
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Vocabulary lists containing astrolabe
The ancients believed that the universe was composed of five basic elements: earth, air, fire, water, and sky. The Greek and Latin words for these elements still show up in our language today. Learn these words that come from the Greek word astron, meaning "star." Here are links to our complete set of Elements of the Universe lists: Cosm, Cosmo ("Universe") / Terr, Terra ("Earth") / Geo ("Earth") / Hydr, Hydro ("Water") / Aqua ("Water") / Ign, Igni ("Fire") / Pyr, Pyro ("Fire") / Aer, Aero ("Air") / Aether ("Sky") / Aster, Astro ("Star") / Sol ("Sun")
This vocabulary list features words with the Greek roots astro and aster, meaning "star, outer space."
This vocabulary list features words with the Greek root that means "star."