Unveiling the Enigmatic Origins of an Arcane Navigation Device

A new paper by astronomer Emmanuel Davoust analyzes the positions of stars on an astrolabe in the Musee des Arts precieux Paul-Dupuy in Toulouse, France, to determine its year of manufacture. By cross-referencing star coordinates with known Latin astrolabes, Davoust found that the equinox of the year 1550 was the closest match, providing insight into the origins of the astrolabe. This interdisciplinary research demonstrates how astronomy can be used to uncover historical information about ancient artifacts.