"1,000-Year-Old Astrolabe Reveals Jewish-Islamic Scientific Exchange"

An 11th-century Islamic astrolabe with Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions, discovered in Verona, Italy, is one of the oldest of its kind and showcases centuries of adaptation and translation by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian users in Spain, North Africa, and Italy. The astrolabe, resembling a portable model of the universe, was used for various calculations and was modified by different users, reflecting a rich history of scientific exchange between Arabs, Jews, and Christians. The instrument's inscriptions suggest its circulation within Sephardi Jewish communities in Spain and Italy, and its corrections and translations in Hebrew and Western numerals indicate its use by diverse linguistic and cultural groups.