“Astro” means “star” in Greek, and “Labe” derives its name from the Greek word “Labio” meaning “Taker” or “Finder:” The astrolabe accordingly carries a very exciting name, literally meaning… “Star Finder.”

Over a thousand-year period in Muslim Civilization, epoch-making discoveries and contributions, such as the first record of a star system outside our own galaxy were made. Also, astronomical instruments including celestial globes, armillary spheres, sextants and especially astrolabes were developed laying the foundation for modern-day astronomy. For example, according to Franz S Verlag, “Al-Farghani” wrote the first known substantial description of the astrolabe during the years 856-57 AD, the date of the startable, which was based on the Mumlahan Tables. People from Muslim Civilization continued to use and contribute extensively to this device that making astrolabes became an art.

Today the oldest functional astrolabes discovered are mostly from Muslim Civilization and some of them sold at very high prices in auctions for their elegance and history. In this fulldome show, we will explore the origins of astrolabes, its types, uses and much more.