Slide 9. Hypatia

Astrolabe             ἀστρολάβος astrolábos;    : ٱلأَسْطُرلاب al-Asṭurlāb; : ستاره‌یاب                                                                                                                             Setāreyābi
      astronomical instrument                   handheld     universe.                    functions                                                                                                      inclinometer and          analog calculation        device                                  problems                                                                                                                        in astronomy.       simplest             metal disc   
               a pattern                     wires, cutouts,   perforations                                        to                                                                                                                                                   calculate astronomical positions precisely.                                                                  to                                                                                                          measure                          above the horizon
 time (and vice versa),      survey,    to triangulate.                           used      classical                                                                                                           antiquity, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Middle Ages and the Age of                                                                                                                    Discovery for all these purposes.


*This fragment, which we believe to have come from one of the latter day entries in what was known as ‘Wikipedia’ (circa 2000-2030), gives valuable insight into Hypatia’s legacy. We believe this instrument, which she likely helped to design, was ultimately what removed her from history.