How to use an astrolabe I Curator's Corner S3 Ep1 #CuratorsCorner

The British Museum
28 Jan 201806:26
EducationalLearning
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TLDRWilliam Greenwood, the Albukhary Foundation curator of the Islamic world at the British Museum, introduces the upcoming Albukhary Foundation galleries focusing on Islamic scientific instruments, particularly those related to astronomy and astrology. He explains the distinction between the two disciplines, highlighting the historical significance of astrology and the role of the astrolabe as a versatile tool for mapping the heavens and determining time, prayer directions, and more. Greenwood invites viewers to explore these instruments in the new galleries set to open in 2018.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 William Greenwood is the Albukhary Foundation curator of the Islamic world at the British Museum.
  • 🏛 He is involved in the development of the new Albukhary Foundation galleries of the Islamic world, set to open in 2018.
  • 🔭 The galleries will feature a redisplay of Islamic scientific instruments, especially those related to astronomy and astrology.
  • 📚 The distinction between astronomy and astrology is that astronomy is the study of celestial phenomena through telescopes, while astrology interprets the influence of these phenomena on human life through horoscopes.
  • 🔮 Historically, astrology was considered a more scientific discipline than astronomy, with the latter serving the former.
  • 🕊 The astrolabe is a significant and long-lived instrument for understanding the sky, acting as a portable map of the heavens.
  • 📐 The astrolabe has various applications, including determining prayer times, the direction of Mecca, planting times for crops, tax collection, and tidal patterns.
  • 📐 The astrolabe consists of several parts, including the Halqa (ring), Kursi (throne), Umm (mother), Rete (spider), Faras (pin), and Al-'idada (ruler).
  • 📅 To use the astrolabe for telling time, one must align the Al-'idada with the Sun and use the zodiac to determine the exact time and date.
  • 🌌 The astrolabe's Rete, or star map, points to different stars, providing a celestial map that can also be used to identify the position of stars in the sky.
  • 📚 Greenwood invites viewers to visit the new Albukhary galleries to see the astrolabe and other Islamic scientific instruments in person.
Q & A

  • Who is William Greenwood and what is his role at the British Museum?

    -William Greenwood is the Albukhary Foundation curator of the Islamic world at the British Museum, responsible for working on the new Albukhary Foundation galleries of the Islamic world.

  • What is the significance of the Albukhary Foundation galleries of the Islamic world?

    -The Albukhary Foundation galleries of the Islamic world are significant as they are a dedicated space within the British Museum showcasing Islamic art, culture, and scientific instruments, set to open in 2018.

  • What is the main difference between astronomy and astrology as explained by William Greenwood?

    -Astronomy involves the study of celestial phenomena using telescopes, while astrology is about interpreting horoscopes and understanding how celestial bodies influence life on Earth.

  • Why was astrology considered more scientific than astronomy in the past?

    -Astrology was seen as more scientific in the past because it was believed to have a direct impact on human life, and astronomy was primarily used to serve the needs of astrology.

  • What is an astrolabe and how was it used historically?

    -An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument that could map the heavens and was used for various purposes such as determining prayer times, finding the direction of Mecca, and even predicting crop planting times and tides.

  • How many applications did a 10th-century astronomer attribute to the astrolabe?

    -A 10th-century astronomer identified about a thousand applications for the astrolabe.

  • What is the purpose of the Halqa and Kursi in the construction of an astrolabe?

    -The Halqa is a ring that allows the astrolabe to be hung evenly at eye level, and the Kursi, or 'throne' in English, is connected to the Halqa and serves as a base for the instrument.

  • What is the Umm and what information does it contain?

    -The Umm, also known as the 'mother' in Latin, is the outer ring of the astrolabe that holds all the other components together and contains information such as the zodiac, times, days, and more.

  • What is the Rete or Ankabut and its function in an astrolabe?

    -The Rete, or Ankabut in Arabic, is the star map part of the astrolabe with pointers that indicate different stars, effectively providing a map of the stars.

  • How does one use the Al-'idada to determine time with an astrolabe?

    -The Al-'idada is used to hang the astrolabe straight and align it with the Sun to determine the time. By aligning the Sun's rays through the Al-'idada and using the zodiac, one can tell the time of day.

  • What is the invitation at the end of the script and when are the Albukhary galleries expected to open?

    -William Greenwood invites viewers to visit the Albukhary galleries of the Islamic world to see the astrolabes and other items related to reading the skies, which are expected to open in autumn 2018.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Islamic Scientific Instruments and the Astrolabe

William Greenwood introduces himself as the Albukhary Foundation curator of the Islamic world at the British Museum and discusses his role in preparing for the new Albukhary Foundation galleries, set to open in 2018. He focuses on the display of Islamic scientific instruments, particularly those related to astronomy and astrology. Greenwood explains the distinction between the two disciplines, emphasizing that astronomy involves studying celestial phenomena, while astrology is about interpreting the influence of these phenomena on human life. Historically, astrology was considered a more significant science than astronomy, with the latter serving the former. The astrolabe, a long-lived and crucial instrument, is described as a 'universe in the palm of your hand,' capable of mapping the heavens and serving various practical purposes before the invention of clocks, including determining prayer times, planting seasons, tax collection, and tide patterns. Greenwood provides an overview of the astrolabe's parts and their functions, including the Halqa, Kursi, Umm, Rete, Faras, and Al-'idada, and offers a basic explanation of how to use the instrument to tell time and locate celestial bodies.

05:04
📅 Using the Astrolabe to Measure Time and Locate Stars

In the second paragraph, Greenwood continues his explanation of the astrolabe, focusing on its practical use for determining time and locating stars. He illustrates how the instrument can be used to find the time of day by aligning the Al-'idada with the sun, using the zodiac to ascertain the exact time and date. The front of the astrolabe, with its star pointers, provides a map of the stars, allowing users to identify what should be visible in the sky at a given time. Greenwood also explains the reverse process, where knowing the position of a star can help determine the current time. He invites viewers to visit the new Albukhary galleries to see these and other remarkable instruments for reading the skies and encourages them to subscribe for more curator insights, hinting at an upcoming video.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Albukhary Foundation
The Albukhary Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports various causes, including the establishment of the Albukhary Foundation Galleries of the Islamic World at the British Museum. The video script discusses the opening of these galleries, highlighting the Foundation's significant role in promoting Islamic art and culture.
💡Islamic World
The term 'Islamic World' refers to the collective regions where Islam is the dominant religion, encompassing a diverse range of cultures, histories, and artistic expressions. In the video, the curator discusses the new galleries dedicated to showcasing the breadth of Islamic culture, including scientific instruments.
💡Astronomy
Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, phenomena, and the universe as a whole. In the script, the curator distinguishes astronomy from astrology, emphasizing that astronomy involves the observation and understanding of celestial bodies like stars and planets, which is central to the theme of the video.
💡Astrology
Astrology is the belief system that the positions of celestial bodies influence human affairs and natural phenomena. The video script contrasts astrology with astronomy, noting that while historically it was considered a science, today it is often viewed as less scientific and more associated with horoscopes.
💡Astrolabe
An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument used to map the positions of stars and planets and to tell the time. The script describes the astrolabe as a key object in the Islamic scientific instrument collection, illustrating its historical importance and functionality.
💡Celestial Phenomena
Celestial phenomena refer to events or objects observed in the sky, such as stars, planets, and their movements. The video script mentions celestial phenomena in the context of what astronomers study, highlighting the scientific inquiry into the workings of the universe.
💡Horoscopes
Horoscopes are astrological predictions based on the positions of celestial bodies at the time of an individual's birth. The script uses horoscopes as an example of modern astrology, indicating a shift from its historical scientific status to a more superstitious or entertainment-based practice.
💡Astrolabe Components
The script provides a detailed description of the various components of an astrolabe, such as the Halqa, Kursi, Umm, Rete, Faras, and Al-'idada. These components are essential to understanding how the astrolabe functions as a tool for mapping the heavens and telling time.
💡Zodiac
The zodiac is a circle of twelve 30-degree divisions of celestial longitude that are traditionally used to describe the position of celestial bodies on the celestial sphere. In the video, the zodiac is mentioned as part of the astrolabe's design, used for timekeeping and understanding the positions of celestial bodies.
💡Cultural Significance
The cultural significance of the Islamic scientific instruments, as discussed in the script, lies in their historical importance and the breadth of their applications, from religious practices to agricultural planning. This highlights the integration of science and culture in the Islamic world.
💡Mecca
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the direction Muslims face during prayer. The script mentions the use of the astrolabe to determine the direction of Mecca, showing the instrument's religious significance and practical application in Islamic culture.
Highlights

Introduction of William Greenwood, the Albukhary Foundation curator of the Islamic world at the British Museum.

Upcoming opening of the new Albukhary Foundation galleries of the Islamic world in 2018.

Redisplays of Islamic scientific instruments, particularly those related to astronomy and astrology.

Astronomy focuses on celestial phenomena, while astrology interprets the influence of celestial bodies on Earth.

Historical significance of astrology as a science, once considered more important than astronomy.

Introduction of the astrolabe as a crucial instrument for understanding the skies.

The astrolabe as a handheld map of the heavens, with pointers for specific stars.

Astrolabe's versatility with over a thousand applications in the 10th century.

Astrolabe's use in determining prayer times, Mecca's direction, and agricultural schedules.

Explanation of the astrolabe's components, including the Halqa, Kursi, and Umm.

The Rete or Ankabut, the star map component of the astrolabe.

The Al-'idada, the ruler on the astrolabe used for sighting and determining time.

How to use the Al-'idada to align with the Sun and determine the time using the zodiac.

The reverse use of the astrolabe to determine time by aligning with known star positions.

Invitation to visit the Albukhary galleries of the Islamic world and subscribe for more content.

Upcoming film in the series providing further insights into the Islamic world's scientific instruments.

Transcripts

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Islamic WorldAstronomyAstrologyCuratorBritish MuseumAstrolabeCelestial PhenomenaHistorical ScienceCultural HeritageSky ReadingAlbukhary Galleries