Code Number: 8A05.75

Demo Title: Quadrant / Astrolabe

Procedure:

There are quadrant type units on the west side of the Van Allen Hall roof. DO NOT look directly at The Sun with these unit. Rather, use a screen at the back side to align the telescope.

The 180 degree protractor models can be easily adapted to work as quadrants.

References:

Christopher Sirola, "Lunar Astrometry", TPT, Vol. 59, #7, Oct. 2021, p. 590.
Windsor A. Morgan Jr., "Quadrant to Measure The Sun's Altitude", TPT, Vol. 51, #7, Oct. 2013, p. 420.
Michael Robinson, "Astronomy with Chaucer: Using an Astrolabe to Determine Planetary Orbits", AJP, Vol. 90, #10, Oct. 2022, p. 745.
Ryan Dahn, "The Many Lives of an 11th-Century Astrolabe", Physics Today, Vol. 77, #5, May 2024, p. 26.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

8A05.75 - Quadrant / Astrolabe

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