Search

an ancient instrument consisting of an arrangement of rings, all of which are circles of the same sphere, used to show the relative positions of the celestial equator, ecliptic, and other circles on the celestial sphere.
historical examples

this machine, he says, has a circ-mference of thirty-two feet, being constructed in the form of an armillary sphere.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol ii edward luther stevenson

the horizon diameter of this armillary sphere is about 21 cm.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol i edward luther stevenson

never had any armillary sphere so many zones, as there were here circles, which had the light for their centre.
an introduction to entomology: vol. ii (of 4) william kirby

the armillary sphere (fig. 117) stands at the east end130 of the court.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol ii edward luther stevenson

at the top, the drip-mould grows into a large trefoil with crockets outside and an armillary sphere within.
portuguese architecture walter crum watson

the piece may be referred to as a fine example of the armillary sphere of the period.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol ii edward luther stevenson

this globe supports the several circles composing the armillary sphere.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol i edward luther stevenson

on the platform was an armillary sphere designed for observing the heavens.
on the origin of clockwork, perpetual motion devices, and the comp-ss derek j. de solla price

this is an armillary sphere of br-ss, the diameter of its largest or zodiacal circle being 14 cm.
terrestrial and celestial globes vol i edward luther stevenson

the province of the armillary sphere was to make these measurements extremely accurate.
a history of science, volume 1(of 5) henry smith williams

noun
a model of the celestial sphere consisting of rings representing the relative positions of the celestial equator, ecliptic, etc, used by early astronomers for determining the positions of stars
armillary sphere
(är’mə-lěr’ē, är-mĭl’ə-rē)
an early astronomical device made of fixed and movable rings representing circles of the celestial sphere, such as the ecliptic and the celestial equator. it was used as early as the third century bce as both a teaching instrument and an observational tool.