Ingenuity and Beauty: astrolabe study day

The astrolabe was the most iconic of early astronomical instruments: it promised to bring the heavens literally into your hands. A user could explore and even control time, the seasons, space and place. Its ingenuity was matched by its beauty and it was sought after by both scholars and rulers for more than a millenium.

In partnership with Oxford's History of Science Museum, the Centre for Islamic Studies has staged an exhibition "Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World". This study day provides a hands-on accompaniment to the exhibition.

Participants will each assemble and learn to use their own customised laser-cut modern astrolabe, to take home afterwards. (See below for an image of the prototype version. The order confirmation page gives details of how to have the astrolabe customised for your preferred latitude and longitude.) You will also get to try your hand at the metalworking techniques needed to shape the historical examples in the exhibition, from sawing and filing, to riveting and shaping.

The session gives a taste of the way that the astrolabe embodied science, religion, art and craft in one exquisite object.

The ticket price includes both a sandwich lunch and afternoon tea and coffee. Please state any dietary requirements when ordering.

There will be an optional guided visit around the Centre for Islamic Studies after the end of the study day itself.

Study day leaders

Dr Silke Ackermann is Director of the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford and researches the transfer of knowledge between the Islamic World and Europe and the interconnectedness of science, art and faith.

Dr Taha Yasin Arslan teaches history of science at Istanbul Medeniyet University, and runs a university workshop where astrolabes and other early instruments are created and recreated.

Dr Stephen Johnston is Curator Emeritus at Oxford's History of Science Museum and co-curator of the "Lines of Faith" exhibition. He is a specialist on medieval and early modern scientific instruments.

Kevin Karney is an expert on the design and layout of sundials, with a particular interest in the equation of time. He has lectured widely on the subject and has designed and produced the astrolabes that participants will take away.