Talk:ἀστρολάβος

I think this is all wrong...

It was an adjective, meaning "star taker" (or perhaps "star finder"). It applied to numerous instruments. Ptolemy used it as an adjective when discussing the armillary sphere. See page 217 https://classicalliberalarts.com/resources/PTOLEMY_ALMAGEST_ENGLISH.pdf Nobody ever called armillary spheres "astrolabes" (the noun).

The noun form of the word didn't exist until 2 centuries later, when Theon of Alexandria used it and meant what we still call an "astrolabe," which this definition inaccurately calls a "planisphere." Astrolabes could have a planisphere painted on them, but astrolabes also can be spherical. But in fairness, 99% of the time they are planer. But a little ironic that the first definition incorrectly applies the term to a different sphere and the second definition excludes a correct sphere. Skintigh (talk) 20:42, 14 October 2023 (UTC)