#astronomy tools

Plate to represent the Unequal Hours Arcs

The plate currently shows the various arcs for almucantar and azimuth (see part four). The new section will cover the fun (but sometimes confusing) construction for the unequal hours! They form 12 segments from 11 lines radiating from the below previous sections.

This is a step-by-step guide to the complete construction of an astrolabe that I think might exist. At least, in any accessible form

As always, my goal is for this to be as accessible as possible for any kind of reader, so if there are any questions, please feel free to reach out

Plate to represent the Horizon, Almucantar, and Twilight Arcs

The plate currently shows three concentric circles for the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, and the equator. This next part builds off the base plate and adds more arcs and circles

The middle plate--known as the Tympan--is perhaps the most complex piece of the entire astrolabe, so this is part three of constructing the plate and only part two of specifically constructing the tympan plate

The circles on the face of the plate represent “almucantar” and twilight arcs.

This is a step-by-step guide to the complete construction of an astrolabe that I think might exist. At least, in any accessible form.

My goal is for this to be as accessible as possible for any kind of reader, so if there are any question, free free to reach out

Plate to represent the Tropics and the Equator

The construction continues into part two!

The middle plate--known as the Tympan--is perhaps the most complex piece of the entire astrolabe, so I am going to be breaking it into a few parts to make it more readable

The first part starts with just three concentric circles for the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, and the Equator.

No math needed!

This is a step-by-step guide to the complete construction of an astrolabe that I think might exist. At least, in any accessible form.

My goal is for this to be as accessible as possible for any kind of reader, so if there are any question, free free to reach out

Plate to represent the Azimuth Arcs

The plate currently shows the concentric circles for the Tropics and equator as well as the arcs for the almucanter circles (see part three). This new section will cover azimuth arcs! They are the spider web looking lines in the center of the plate.

The middle plate--known as the Tympan--is perhaps the most complex piece of the entire astrolabe, so this is part four of constructing the plate and only part three of specifically constructing the tympan plate

This part is perhaps the most difficult of all the steps since uses a new kind of projection method, but it ends up being quite beautiful when the pieces are done

This is a step-by-step guide to the complete construction of an astrolabe that I think might exist. At least, in any accessible form

As always, my goal is for this to be as accessible as possible for any kind of reader, so if there are any questions, please feel free to reach out

Sometimes also called a Pillar Dial or a Shepard Dial

This strange looking device is actually a portal sundial! The metal arm is the “gnomon” (the part of the sundial that casts a shadow) and the body is carved with different curved horizontal lines for times and vertical columns for months

This sundial is set for the 37th parallel north (37.3 degrees North latitude) which includes places like the island of Sicily, Greece, as well as places in Syria, Iran, China, and through the center of the United States. This kind of information can make it possible to determine where this device was originally made or at least where it was intended to be used 🔎

Helpfully, it also just so happens it is “inscribed on the dial corresponds with that of Catania in Sicily” so this device was likely made to operate in Sicily

(A very simple) Mystery solved!

Helluva Boss (2021)

Don’t worry: no plot spoilers

The demons in Helluva Boss are inspired by the demons from the goetic grimoire Ars Goetia. In particular:

Stolas (also known as Stolos, Stoppas and Solas) is "a Great Prince of Hell, commands twenty-six legions of demons. He teaches astronomy and is knowledgeable about herbs, plants, and precious stones. He is often depicted as a raven or a crowned owl with long legs.

Sound familiar?

The decorations in Stolas’ manor are particularly beautifully done and are often clearly inspired by a combination of astronomy and plants.

The chandelier(? Lamp? Dining room decoration?) in the dining room appears to be a beautifully crafted brass/gold armillary sphere that even rotates on its axis

Armillary spheres are a common decoration for astronomy-inspired decorations, but a nice touch to this armillary sphere is the distinct angle it rotates at. In armillary spheres on Earth, this angle is the result of the tit of the planet (which on Earth is 23.5 degrees) and the surrounding arc represents the path that the sun travels around the Earth

In Stolas’ mansion, this armillary sphere sits at around 40 degrees. From an artistic perspective, I suspect this is to make the silhouette of the decoration read better to an audience. But it could also imply that hell is at a 40 degree tilt to its sun

This view appears in Season 1 Episode 7 “Ozzie’s” (3:27)

Ptolemaic armillary sphere from the Science Museum Group

There is a closer view in Season 2 Episode 1 “The Circus” (18:19)

The entire mansion is filled with astronomical devices and decorations

In the same episode (12:42) in Octavia’s room there is what appears to be an orrery on the ceiling of her bedroom. An orrery is a model to illustrate the relative positions/motions of the planets of moons in a solar system. Turns out hell has a lot of planets!

Since the orrery is on the ceiling it is hard to get a full view of it

The best view is probably in n Season 1 Episode 2 “Loo Loo Land” (2:48) where the center star is more visible

Orrery planetary model from the Science Museum Group

Finally, there is a device in this same episode that is easy to miss (I only noticed it while reviewing clips for more angles of the orrery). At 2:30, blink and you’ll miss it. Hard to see it fully but it appears similar to celestial and terrestrial globes with arcs for the path of the moon or sun

English terrestrial globe with Moon arm from the Science Museum Group

And yes, everyone should watch this show. All episodes are on Youtube

This picture calendar (egoyomi) depicts a storyteller explaining a kontenki渾天儀, a type of armillary sphere or astrolabe, which usually would have consisted of a spherical framework of rings showing celestial bodies. Here it has been cleverly replaced with moveable calendar.