Miniature Altitude Ring dial

Altitude sundial. Takes this name because the parameter of its construction is based on Sun’s altitude. This brass made model is available for two different latitudes: 40º or 50º.

On15th century mariners found a way to estimate their latitude to find their location in the sea. It was based on a well-known fact: the height of celestial bodies depends on the latitude. Soon various instruments joined the quadrant, the nautical astrolabe and the cross-staff or ballastella. Pedro Nunes (Portugal) invented the nonius, a process for subdividing scales, and created other instruments of innovative design.

Measures:

Height: 130mm / Diameter: 40mm / Width: 21mm / Thickness: 4mm  

Height: 5.1" / Diameter: 1.77" / Width:0.82" / Thickness: 0.2"