I made tool that can tell TIME at NIGHT

Uri Tuchman
26 Jan 201926:11
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the creator embarks on a journey to build an astrolabe, an ancient astronomical device, from scratch. The script details the design, materials selection, and the meticulous engraving process. The creator tests the device's accuracy by measuring the sun's altitude and comparing it to the current time, achieving impressive results. The video concludes with a demonstration of the astrolabe's ability to locate stars, showcasing its remarkable precision and the creator's admiration for this historical tool.

Takeaways
  • πŸ› οΈ The video is about creating an astrolabe, an ancient astronomical device used for navigation and timekeeping.
  • πŸ” The presenter revisits the design and function of the astrolabe, encouraging viewers to watch a previous video for more details.
  • 🎨 The video includes animations and a creative intro, which the presenter particularly likes and repeats for the audience's benefit.
  • πŸ”§ The presenter discusses modifications made to the astrolabe, such as fixing the scholar and changing the driving wheel for better functionality.
  • πŸ—œοΈ The process involves engraving on metal, with the presenter choosing steel for the writing plate and brass for the plate behind it for finer engraving details.
  • πŸ“ The presenter describes the process of transferring templates onto the metal and securing the metal with masking tape for engraving.
  • βš”οΈ A thin and delicate engraving blade is used for precision, although it makes the process slower.
  • πŸ› οΈ The presenter mentions the absence of cutting fluid and the use of oil as a substitute, indicating improvisation in the project.
  • 🌞 The astrolabe is assembled and tested for its ability to measure the sun's altitude, which is crucial for determining time and other astronomical data.
  • πŸ“ Data collected from the sun's altitude is used to determine the time of day, with the presenter comparing the astrolabe's accuracy to a modern watch.
  • 🌌 The presenter also discusses using the astrolabe to locate stars, demonstrating its versatility in both solar and stellar observations.
Q & A
  • What is an astrolabe and what is its purpose?

    -An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars. It can be used to tell the time, find the altitude of celestial bodies, and solve other astronomical problems.

  • What improvements were made to the astrolabe in the video?

    -The creator made adjustments to the driving wheel and secured the lager more properly to make the astrolabe work better. They also changed the material thickness to better suit the device.

  • Why was the steel chosen for the writing plate and brass for the plate behind it?

    -Steel was chosen for the writing plate because it can hold finer and more fragile engravings, while brass was selected for the plate behind it due to its ability to take engraving more finely and nicely.

  • How did the creator ensure the metal was clean before engraving?

    -The creator cleaned the metal by using masking tape to hold the plate and then cleaning it, which resulted in a pale but present cleanliness.

  • What challenges did the creator face while engraving the astrolabe?

    -The piece was too big for the ball vise, so it was placed on a regular vise, which made it difficult to swivel and center the piece. Additionally, the thin and delicate blade used for engraving made the process slow.

  • What was the purpose of using oil as a cutting fluid in the absence of a proper cutting fluid?

    -Oil was used as a makeshift cutting fluid to reduce friction and heat during the engraving process, helping to prolong the life of the blade and improve the quality of the engraving.

  • How did the creator test the accuracy of the astrolabe?

    -The creator tested the astrolabe by aligning it with the sun, marking the sun's altitude, and then using the device to determine the time, comparing it to a watch for accuracy.

  • What is the significance of the 24-hour day cycle ring on the astrolabe?

    -The 24-hour day cycle ring represents the full day, with the bottom being midnight and the top being noon. It helps in determining the time of day based on the position of the sun or stars.

  • How did the creator use the astrolabe to locate a star's position in the sky?

    -The creator input the star's known altitude and azimuth into the astrolabe, aligned it with the sun's position, and then moved the rete (star map) to the specific location to find the star's position.

  • What was the creator's experience with using a phone to sight stars through the astrolabe?

    -The creator found that using a phone to sight stars was impractical because the phone's angle would not align with the astrolabe's sights, making it an ineffective method for star observation.

  • How did the creator conclude the project and express their feelings about the astrolabe?

    -The creator concluded the project by expressing their love for the astrolabe, its heft and historical significance, and their surprise and happiness with its functionality and accuracy.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ› οΈ Building the Astrolabe

In this introductory segment, the creator revisits the concept of the astrolabe, a historical astronomical device, and provides a brief overview of the previous video discussing its design and usage. The creator expresses enthusiasm about the project and hints at improvements made to the device's design, such as a more stable driving wheel and a better-secured lager. The focus is on the craftsmanship and the process of creating a functional astrolabe, with a mention of animations and a lighthearted tone setting the stage for the tutorial.

05:27
πŸ”¨ Refining the Astrolabe Components

The second paragraph delves into the technical aspects of the astrolabe's construction. The creator discusses the materials chosen for different parts of the device, with steel being used for the plate due to its durability and the ability to hold finer engravings. The process of transferring templates and cutting the metal is described, with attention to the challenges of handling delicate and precise components. The creator also addresses the difficulties in engraving and the improvisation with oil due to the absence of cutting fluid, reflecting a hands-on and problem-solving approach.

10:35
🌞 Assembling and Testing the Astrolabe

In the third paragraph, the creator reaches a pivotal moment in the project: assembling the astrolabe and testing its functionality. Despite numerous trials to ensure proper fit, the creator is optimistic about the final assembly. The testing phase involves aligning the device with the sun, which is a crucial step in verifying the astrolabe's accuracy. The creator captures the fleeting moment of sunlight to demonstrate the device's alignment mechanism, emphasizing the importance of timing and precision in astronomical observations.

15:47
πŸ“ Calculating Time with the Astrolabe

The fourth paragraph continues the practical application of the astrolabe by explaining how to determine the time using the device. The creator describes the process of marking the sun's position on a piece of paper and then using the astrolabe to find the sun's location on the sky map. By aligning the sun's position with the altitude and azimuth lines, the creator demonstrates how to calculate the time of day. The accuracy of the device is highlighted by comparing the calculated time with a wristwatch, showcasing the remarkable precision of the astrolabe despite its age.

20:48
🌠 Exploring Stellar Navigation with the Astrolabe

This paragraph explores the astrolabe's capabilities beyond timekeeping, extending its use to stellar navigation. The creator discusses the possibility of using the astrolabe to locate stars in the sky, despite the unfavorable weather conditions. The process involves using a tablet or phone to sight the stars, but the creator acknowledges the limitations of this method. Instead, the focus shifts to using the astrolabe's measurements from the previous day to predict the position of a specific star, demonstrating the device's versatility and accuracy in celestial navigation.

25:49
πŸŽ‰ Celebrating the Completion of the Astrolabe Project

In the concluding paragraph, the creator reflects on the successful completion of the astrolabe project. There is a sense of accomplishment and joy in having built a device that is not only functional but also remarkably accurate. The creator shares the experience of testing the astrolabe's speed and capabilities, comparing it to modern machinery and expressing surprise at its performance. The paragraph ends on a positive note, with the creator looking forward to the next project and encouraging viewers to enjoy the process.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Astrolabe
An astrolabe is an ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars. In the video, the creator is building an astrolabe, which is the central theme. The script mentions using the astrolabe to find the altitude of the sun and stars, demonstrating its historical use in navigation and astronomy.
πŸ’‘Engraving
Engraving refers to the practice of carving designs or letters onto a hard surface, such as metal. In the context of the video, engraving is essential for creating the precise markings on the astrolabe's plates, which are necessary for its functionality. The script describes the process of engraving on steel and brass, indicating the meticulous craftsmanship involved.
πŸ’‘Assembly
Assembly in this context means putting together the various components of the astrolabe to make it functional. The script describes the process of assembling the device, emphasizing the importance of correct alignment and fitting of parts to ensure the astrolabe works accurately.
πŸ’‘Altitude
Altitude, in astronomical terms, is the angle between an object in the sky and the observer's horizon. The video script mentions measuring the sun's altitude to determine the time of day, showcasing the astrolabe's capability to measure celestial positions.
πŸ’‘Azimuth
Azimuth is the angle between a celestial object and true north, measured clockwise from the north point on the horizon. In the video, the creator uses the astrolabe to find the azimuth of a star, demonstrating another way the device can be used to navigate or chart the sky.
πŸ’‘Zodiac Signs
Zodiac signs are the twelve 30-degree divisions of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The script refers to the zodiac signs as part of the astrolabe's design, indicating their use in tracking the sun's position over time.
πŸ’‘Sun's Location
The sun's location is its position in the sky relative to an observer on Earth. The video script describes marking the sun's location on the astrolabe to determine the time and season, illustrating the device's practical application in ancient timekeeping.
πŸ’‘Celestial Navigation
Celestial navigation is the process of using the positions of celestial objects to determine one's position on Earth. The video's theme revolves around the astrolabe, an instrument used for celestial navigation, and the script explains how the device can be used to find the sun and stars' positions.
πŸ’‘Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship refers to the skill and quality of work involved in making something by hand. The video script highlights the craftsmanship involved in engraving and assembling the astrolabe, emphasizing the creator's attention to detail and the hands-on nature of the project.
πŸ’‘Accuracy
Accuracy in this context refers to the precision of the astrolabe's measurements. The script discusses the device's ability to provide accurate time and position measurements, comparing the results with a modern watch and demonstrating the impressive precision of the ancient instrument.
πŸ’‘Historical Device
A historical device is an instrument or tool that has been used in the past and is significant to the history of technology or culture. The astrolabe, as described in the video, is a historical device that was used for navigation and astronomical observations, and the script celebrates its enduring relevance and functionality.
Highlights

Introduction to the process of making an astrolabe, a historical astronomical device.

Mention of a previous video detailing the design and use of an astrolabe.

The creator's satisfaction with improvements made to the astrolabe's scholar and driving wheel.

Explanation of the choice of materials for different parts of the astrolabe.

Engraving process on the steel plate and the challenges faced.

Use of a delicate blade for engraving and the slow pace of the process.

The moment of truth in assembling the astrolabe and testing its functionality.

Utilization of the astrolabe to measure the Sun's altitude and deduce the time.

Comparison of the astrolabe's time measurement with a modern watch.

Discussion on the accuracy of the astrolabe despite its age and simple construction.

Attempt to use a phone to sight stars for astrolabe alignment.

Using online resources to verify the astrolabe's accuracy with star positions.

Demonstration of the astrolabe's ability to accurately measure star altitude and azimuth.

Reflection on the historical significance and practicality of the astrolabe.

The creator's enthusiasm for the astrolabe's design and functionality.

Final thoughts on the project's success and the creator's anticipation for future videos.

Transcripts
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