The Engineering and Programming Methods Used in Manufacture of Astrolabes and Errors Resulting
Duaa Abdullah
TL;DR
This work addresses the challenge of producing accurate astrolabes by examining traditional design methods and their manufacturing sources of error, then proposing a CAD-assisted, analytically grounded workflow based on stereographic projection. The authors identify and categorize errors in calculation elements, observation elements, and component geometries, and derive analytic relations to quantify arc-drawing deviations. They introduce computer-aided design strategies to compute arc centers, radii, and divisions with high precision, and validate the approach with experiments and MATLAB-driven analyses of midday curves and related relations. The resulting framework offers a practical path to reviving the astrolabe as a heritage instrument while leveraging modern computational tools to reduce typical arc, division, and alignment errors, thereby improving accuracy and reproducibility for educational and scholarly applications.
Abstract
In this study, we first reviewed the traditional astrolabe design methods and identified potential sources of manufacturing error. We then proposed an analytical approach using computer assistance to develop designs for the astrolabe components. This approach marks a pioneering step toward designing and producing a physical astrolabe model aided by computer technology. Our goal was to revive this significant heritage instrument while leveraging modern techniques and software to produce astrolabe models free from traditional manufacturing inaccuracies.