armillary sphere

(ar -mă-lair-ee) A device, dating back to antiquity, composed of a set of graduated rings representing circles on the celestial sphere, such as the ecliptic, celestial equator, and colures. The whole globe often revolved about an axis – the polar axis – within horizon and meridian circles. Movable sighting adjustments enabled a star to be observed and its coordinates to be read off the relevant circles.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

An illustration of the type of armillary sphere used by the great scientist Tycho Brahe. Reproduced by permission of Fortean Picture Library.

Armillary Sphere

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

An armillary (from Latin word armilla, meaning “bracelet”) sphere is a skeletal sphere consisting of rings that represent the more important celestial circles utilized by astrologers—the ecliptic, the meridian, the horizon, the celestial equator, etc.

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

His personal emblem, the armillary sphere, is present in all three tapestries, including being the centrepiece of one.

The terrestrial sphere of "the spheres" tapestries--revisited

Make a style statement with the <BRomano Armillary Ball

Don't forget finishing touches; It's important to add texture and interest to your decor scheme, says Claire Hornby

It is based on an armillary sphere that dates back to 1439.

Onward and sky: with new efforts aimed at the stars, China seeks to revive its astronomical reputation

After praising God and introductory words on the necessity of astronomical instrumentation, the treatise begins with the description of the five instruments mentioned in Ptolemy's Almagest: halqa nuhasiyya (two meridian rings, I, 12); lubna (quadrant, I, 12); another halqa nuhasiyya (equinoctial ring, III, 1); dhat al-halaq (armillary sphere, V.

Ghazan Khan's astronomical innovations at Maragha observatory

Armillary spheres were originally used to make astronomical measurements, but gained huge popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a means of teaching astronomy.

Jubilee edition: the leading international fair for arts and antiques celebrates its 25th edition in 2012. Apollo previews this year's highlights at TEFAF Maastricht

In the Hampden Portrait Elizabeth wears two large framed jewels, with the jewel at the bottom being capped by an armillary sphere.

Queen Elizabeth I and the Hampden Portrait

A painting from the National Gallery's own collection depicts Christian's young daughter Dorothea, who holds an inverted armillary sphere, her world turned upside down.

Northern light: Jan Gossaert made his name working for the Burgundian court and was among the first northern artists to visit Rome, writes Susan Foister, curator of the only exhibition in more than 45 years of works by this archetypal 'Old Master'

New additions to the format were: Rainer's Sun Corner: The sunny day provided an excellent opportunity to show off Rainer Jakob's 'Sun Corner' which included seven beautiful sundials, an armillary sphere and an analemmatic sundial--six were built by Rainer himself.

ScopeX 2009

Lorraine previously ran The Armillary Coffee Rooms, in Binley Woods.

Lorraine's on target

The imposing Armillary, located on a roundabout at the Banbury Road junction with Trinity Road in Stratford-on-Avon, was installed in April 2007 despite opposition from local residents.

Sculpture could be voted out

Inspired by ancient astronomy armillary spheres, the Equinox collection has three interlocking rings that pivot.

Coming full circle

Among the sculptures are an armillary sphere, used to pinpoint the position of heavenly bodies, and a sextant, used to measure distances between stars and a celestial globe.

travel: 10 great reasons to visit... Beijing; The Olympic Games have officially opened and the eyes of the world are on Beijing. We look at 10 reasons to visit the ancient city