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Mariner's Astrolabe

Type Object Region Iberian Peninsula Time c. 1475–1700

The mariner's astrolabe is a specialized variant of the astrolabe for ocean voyaging, determining latitude by measuring the altitude of celestial bod…

Timeline

  1. c. 1471–1480Portugal · PortugalIberian navigators simplified the traditional astronomical astrolabe into a mariner's astrolabe that could be used steadily on deck, estimating latitude by observing the altitude of the sun or the North Star, and it became one of the standard navigational tools for southward voyages in the 1470s.
  2. c. 1480–1600Global ocean routes · Pacific OceanThe mariner's astrolabe spread along global sea routes with Portugal, Spain, and later maritime powers, making position-fixing on trans-equatorial and transoceanic voyages more reliable and helping shape the world trade network.

Sources