I offer several different astronomical instruments from earlier times, including the Astrolabe, the Nocturnal, and a Lunar Volvelle. They are all completely functional, and allow a fascinating glimpse of how people measured time and the stars in previous centuries.
Below are all the instruments I currently make: Larger ones (about 10″ diameter), L-R: Planispheric Astrolabe with traditional rete, Planispheric Astrolabe with acrylic rete, Universal Astrolabe (Saphea Arzachelis). Smaller ones, L-R: Lunar Volvelle, Planispheric Mini Astrolabe, Nocturnal.
If you’d like to get hold of one, all my instruments can be found here: https://wavytail.etsy.com/?section_id=30383363
Instructions for use are here:
Planispheric Astrolabe instructions – the Astrolabe lets the user figure out the positions of the Sun and stars; when they will be in a certain place in the sky; sunrise and sunset times, the time of day (or night) and more.
Universal Astrolabe (Saphea Arzachelis) – this has functions that allow it to be used for any latitude, and comes with a slightly cut-down Planispheric astrolabe on the other side. It is fairly complex and not for the faint hearted.
Nocturnal Instructions – this tells the time from the position of the stars
Lunar Volvelle Instructions – this is a calendar for both the standard and Zodiac dates, and also shows the phase of the Moon
Equatorial Sundial MK2 instructions – a traditional outdoor Sundial (MK2 is beefed up from the MK1)
Portable Sundial instructions – a handheld Diptych style of Sundial
Videos – my full talk on astrolabes at the Riverside Nature Center
Useful apps & links – Solar Time checkers, star finders etc
