Galileo's Instruments of Discovery
With these various instruments, Galileo Galilei was able to look into space and change our view of the universe.
- By Sarah Zielinski
- Smithsonian.com, July 20, 2009
«« Previous | 4 of 13
| Next »»
(Franklin Institute)
Nocturnal and Sundial
During the day, a person could tell time with this pocket-size device by unfolding a gnomon, a vertical shaft, and thereby turning the device into a small sundial. Turn it over at night, line it up with the pole star, Ursa Major, and it became a nocturnal. At night, the sky appears to revolve around the pole star, and though the stars’ positions vary by time of year, they can give an indication of time during the night. A nocturnal could be manipulated to help a person determine the local time based on these star positions. This nocturnal and sundial device dates to 1554.
«« Previous | 4 of 13
| Next »»
Comments (10)
it is very informative, i knew about only the telescope and the compass. One doubt, did Galileo made all the instruments or he used others work for his discoveries? Please clear this doubt.
Posted by gayatri on February 23,2013 | 11:36 AM
i love this
Posted by lakmin chamara on September 18,2012 | 05:38 AM
its really amazing i want to know about how Galileo made his telescope What is the instruction for building the Telescope
Posted by abbas muhammadi on April 21,2012 | 07:27 AM
Its Nice!!!!
Posted by May-Ann T. Tugas on August 10,2010 | 08:45 AM
It is called a sector.
Posted by Gregory on June 25,2010 | 04:28 AM
DORKL,
Greetings. It's called Galileo's Geometric & Milatary Compass.
Posted by AGWhite on May 1,2010 | 10:51 AM
HEY WHAT IS THIS CALLED EXZACTLY???????? I REALLY WANT TO KNOW SO I CAN DO MY PROJECT FOR SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by DORKL on April 12,2010 | 03:23 PM
man if u can help me i really need to know how u make the compas is for a work in the class
Posted by tomato mm on November 25,2009 | 11:26 AM
Amateurs interested in astronomy are often told to star with a decent pair of binoculars which are usually about 7 to 10 powers of magnification. It's easy to see how Galileo was able to make his discoveries with a telescope of about the same power.
Posted by Phoghat on August 18,2009 | 05:18 AM
compliments.. bulent sisman
Posted by Bulent Sisman on August 12,2009 | 06:09 AM