Ancient Astronomical Instruments

Abstract

With the developments of ancient astronomy, ancient astronomical mechanical instruments were extensively used for measurements, computation, and demonstration. These instruments represented the combinational achievements of astronomy and mechanical engineering technology at the subjects’ eras. The investigations of the recorded ancient astronomical instruments not only give us a glimpse of their historical developments, but also provide overall concepts and knowledge about the mechanical characteristics for some designated functions and applications. Furthermore, the relevant craftsmanship is realized. This chapter presents a study of the ancient astronomical mechanical instruments and classifies them in accordance with their display functions. Some representative artifacts such as sundials, astrolabes, calendrical device and relevant compound instruments, astronomical (mechanical) clocks, and orreries are introduced. Focusing on a specific display function, the designs among different astronomical instruments are compared. In addition, the manufacturing technology and craftsmanship for generating some particular functions are analyzed.