Tycho Brahe and his Mural Quadrant, Uraniborg, c. 1600

Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) and his mural quadrant in Uraniborg, Sweden. The quadrant was made from brass and was affixed to a wall that was oriented precisely north-south. Brahe (right, pointing) views a star through the opposite opening (upper left) to determine the star's altitude as it passes through the meridian. An assistant (lower right) reads the time off a clock and another one (lower left) records the measurements. The area above the quadrant is filled with a mural painting showing several other of Brahe's instruments. Illustration from Brahe's book Astronomiae instauratae mechanica, 1598

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50658281

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50658281

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2640px x 3565px (3.8MB)

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