in ♠hir latit 1 degr 47 min. North ♄ 1 degr 56 min. in ♎ ♃ 10 degr 24 min. in ♊ ♠4 degr 10 min. in ♋ ♀ 16 degr 46 min. in ♉ ☿ 28 degr 32 min. in ♓ ☊ 5 degr 54 min. in ♓ as for their latitudes they alter little or nothing in 6 or 7 dayes and to those places accordingly sought in this Astrolabe you shall set the petty Apices of each Carect There shall they serue you for all that weeke to singuler effects and presently you may note thus much that if the petty Apex happen to be thus placed in sequens of the Zodiacke from the chiefe Apex then be sure the Planet is direct if in precedens as in ☿ then is he Retrograde if iust one vppon another then Stationary And full easy will it be to imagin the spaces betweene the two Apices of each Planets carect into seuen equall partes for the seuen dayes of the weeke included betweene them as in the 2. Cap. you imagined the Squares into fiue partes and so reddily to conceiue where each Planet is any of those seuen dayes which in none of them can exceede twise 7 Degrees the Moone excepted whose gate in common accoumpt is euery two houres one whole Degree and euery foure and twenty houres twelue Degrees Wherefore for her eyther you must relye vppon your Almanacke or haue foure single Carects at the least to be set two dayes in sunder apeece that is to saye the one to bee set at the Moones place for Sunday noone for Astronomers alwayes begin their day at noone because the Meridian is Horizon rectus the second to be set for Tewsday noone the third for Thursday noone and the fourth for Saterday noone and so by adding or subducting of 12 degrees for a day and two degrees for an houre her place shall sufficiently well be had Her motion is very swift and her Prosthapheresis or Aequacions caused by her epicicles may happily breede error of 7 or 8 degrees in one weeke from that common accoumpt of two houres to a degree otherwise two Carects might haue sufficed but in two dayes her greatest gate being but 12 degrees either before or behinde one of the carects can breede no error to be regarded if you recken it from that carect vnto which she is neerest Cap. 5. ¶ How by this new Astrolabe to finde the true place of the Sunne perpetually IN my Organum Vranicum shortly like to come foorth you shall haue the Kalender of the yere the Cicle of the Sunne and all such necessary supplements And therefore in this Astrolabe which I do appoint to be alwayes anexed thereunto and to be but the back side or Dorsum Vranici I haue framed no Kalender at all or Theoricke of the ☉ as commonly all other Astrolabes haue Yet to serue the turne vntill the Vranicum come foorth or for them that would content themselues without the other as happily some will in regard of the charge of the other which can not well be framed but of mettall I haue in the 12 Signes of the Zodiackes Orbs placed the 12 letters of the 12 Moneths vz. I for Ianuary F for February c. at such degree and minute of the-clipticke as they doe make their entraunce the Radicall yeare of my sayd Vranicum being the yeare after Christ 1600. by help of which you shall for euer it you will finde the true place of the Sunne within 3 or 4 minutes so you regard but three obseruaunces which I shall heere deliuer you The first is concerning the Leape yeare and is remedied by rebating some quarter of a degree for euery yeare following the Leape yeare till it be Leape yeare againe The second is concerning the fiue odde dayes in the yeare aboue 360. and is remedied by rebating for euery day of the moneth proposed but one minute The third is concerning ages past or to come the remedie whereof I will shew in the end of this Cap. Now therefore for the time present vz. for some 20 yeares if neede be before or behinde the yeare 1600. it serueth fitly as it is vpon euery Leape yeare because his roote 1600 is a Leape yeare without any obseruacion more then for the fiue odde dayes which is generall in euery yeare and for any common yeare with very little trouble as I shall shewe in this manner Wherefore if you will know what degree and minute the Sunne is in vpon any day and yeare assigned First seeke by the Zodiacke for the letter of the Moneth in which your day is vz. For the letter I seruing for Iune which is placed at the 20 degree and somewhat more in ♊ and the number 6 ascribed thereto signifieth 6 minutes more then the 20 degrees the exact place of that letter I. And from that letter vz. I number forwards so many degrees of the Clipticke as your day the 8 of Iune proposed is within your moneth Iune proposed rebating so many minutes according to the second obseruaunce before mentioned vz. for your 8 dayes recken 8 degrees in sequens of that 20 deg 6 min. of ♊ lacking 8 min. and where that accoumpt falleth out which you shall finde vppon that reckning and rebating of 8 minutes to be 27 degrees 58 minutes of ♊ there shall be the true place of the ☉ if it be a Leape yeare as this yeare 1596 is and there vz. at the saide 27 degrees 58 minutes of ♊ you may place the Carect of the Sunne for that day as in the last Chapter is taught But if it shall be the first yeare after the Leape yeare then shall you rebate a quarter of a degree or 14 ⅓ min. if you will be precise if the second yeare then rebate halfe a degree if the third rebate ¾ of a degree and then euery Leape yeare it returneth to his owne place againe And this for almost twenty yeares eyther before or behinde the Radicall yeare 1600 shall serue passing well and reddye within some foure or fiue minutes but for any time after the yeare 1600 you shall neede but adde and for any time before subtract some halfe quarter of a Degree or 8 ¾ minutes if you will be precise for euery 20 yeares As for Example for the place of the ☉ the 8 day of March in the yeare 1700. because betweene the yeare 1600 and 1700 there are fiue times 20 yeares therefore I adde fiue diquarters of a degree or to be precise fiue times 8 ¾ minutes which maketh 44 ¾ minutes vnto the foresaid 27 degr 58 min. in ♊ and it maketh 28 degrees 42 ¾ minutes which is the true place of the ☉ on the 8 day of Iune Anno. 1700. And because you shall worke the more certaine I haue to euery of the 12 letters of the moneths set the number of the minutes of that degree where his right place should be which place is also descryed by a little stroke or string cutting the true place of the same Degree and
leading thence to the letter if it be not placed directly therewith Also you must not forget for ages past or to come to adde or subtract the Aequacion of the 8 Speere as in the 30 Cap. shall be shewed according to the words Adiectiue or Ablatiue there mentioned for that will from time to time alter this true place of the Sunne euen vnto 1 ⅙ Degrees about 800 yeares to come or passed Although some others haue ouerslipped in their Theoricks of the ☉ both this and the third obseruacion before For example you shall by the 30 Cap. finde the 8 Speares Aequation 12 ¼ minutes ablatiue for the yeare 1700 and so will the true place then be but 28 degrees 30 ½ minutes for the 8 of Iune After many words thus spent the precept is briefely thus Suppose euery degree of the-clipticke to be a day of the yeare rebating for euery day a minute and for euery of the three common yeares 14 ⅓ minutes and thus farre it serueth for all times But now i◠your time be after 1600 you must for the motus equalis compositus adde 8 ¾ degrees for euery 20 yeares and for euery 20 yeare before 1650 adde 5 min. for the 8 spheeres equation and contrariwise if being before 1600 and after 1650 you must subduct as much Note that I haue been sithence enformed that our honourable Lords departed the 3 of Iune but let the 8 of Iune now stand for the example nothing hurtfull Cap. 6. ¶ How to rectifye the true place of the Sunne to all places of the world MY good meaning determining this Astrolabe as a fit recreacion or play-game for trauellers by Sea to driue away the tediousnes of their iourneying may soonest of all deceiue them in getting the true place of the ☉ whether by the Ephemeris or by the last Cap. or by my Organum Vranicum if they haue not a speciall regard to the changing of their Meridians as they trauayle for which cause I haue caused a new description of the terestriall Globe to be made after my fashion in one face where others make them still in two faces and both that terestriall and this celestiall are principally meant by me to serue vnto my Vranicum and to be placed in the inner sides of his case as necessary appendices though of itselfe it bee an Instrument sufficient without these Of this terestriall I doe at this time although hauing manye extraordinary conceites to applye him for Nauigation and other necessities to write of determine to deliuer but this Chapter therein to let you vnderstande that in the limbe circle about it which representeth the Aequinoctiall circle at the Meridian cutting vpon London I haue placed a rundle with a crosse and at the opposite Meridian the number of 12. signifying 12 houres and betweene these on both sides are 11 other rundles for houres so is that whole circle deuided into twise 12 houres and numbred both wayes from the crosse rundle signifying how many houres the Sunne or any Planet or Starre hath to go from our Meridian at London when any of them come vnto it before it can come to the Meridian of another place or being in another place how many houres it must go ere it come to ours And in regard that the gate of the ☉ is euery 24 houres a degree of the-clipticke therefore you must adde or subtract from his place found either in the last Cap. or the Ephemerides or my Vranicum according to the rate thereof vz. for euery 12 houres about 30 minutes of a degree and for 6 houres 15 minutes c. As for example admit you being a trauayler should be the fift day of March 1598 in the 4. Cap. mentioned in the great City of Quinsay in the countrey of China and there seeking for the true place of the Sunne at noone had found it 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓ as in the 4. Cap. it was Now because the Meridian of Quinsay appeareth in this Terestriall by the said houre rundles almost 9 houres distant from the Meridian of London or rather of Anwerp if you worke by Stadius Ephemerides or the last Cap. and that towards the East Therefore the ☉ commeth so much sooner to the meridian or noone at Quinsay for which cause you must in this case rebate so much of the Sunnes diurnall gate of 60 minutes as 9 houres commeth to vz. 22 minutes so will the Sunne that day at noone in that countrye be but 24 degrees 41 min. in ♓ which in the 4 Cap. was found to be 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓ And if your place had beene so much Westwards then should you haue added 22 minutes vnto 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓ You may also performe the same reddily by the next Cap. applying the Labell vnto 30 minut of the sextans for so much is the semidiurnall gate of the Sunne commonly Cap. 7. ¶ How to rectifye the place of the ☽ or of any other Planet to any other Meridian THere is more neede to haue regard of this matter for the ☽ because her motion is very swift euen euery two houres about a degree then in any other of the Planets and for reddyer performance heereof the Horarium Planetarium in the 29 Cap. mentioned shall yeeld you speciall helpe if you imagine the 10 houres of the Arch of the sextans to be 10 degrees and cause the planetary Index to be numbred for this purpose into 12 houres from the Centre outwards Now when you will rectifie the true place of any Planet admit of the ☽ at noone any day proposed admit the 5. day of March 1598 to another Meridian admit to the Meridian of Quinsay First you shall get the semidiurnall gate of the Planet by taking the motion of the day proposed vz. 2 degr 40 min. in ♋ out of the motion of the day following being the 6 day of March and the Moones place or motion then 15 degr 1. min. in ♋ and take halfe the remaine vz. 6 degr 10 min. which you shall seeke in the arche of the sextans as though they were 6 houres 10 min. and thereto set the Index there let him stay Then as in the last Cap. is taught seeke the houre distaunce of the Meridian of the other place vz. of Quinsay from yours vz. from that of Anwerpe for Stadius but for my Vranicum from London admit the houre distaunce 8 houres and an halfe and that distaunce seeke in the Index planted as before by the numbers reckned from the Centre outwards vnto 12 and marke what paralell cutteth the Index there vz. at the sayd 8 ½ houre thereof and follow it to the arche of the Sextans which shall there shew you 4 degrees 30 minutes the motion of the Planet answerable to that houre distaunce of their Meridians which if it be Westwards from your Meridian you shall adde to if Eastwards as heere it is then subtract out of the place of the Planet found vz. out of 2 degrees 40 minutes of
end you may if you list first reade ouer euery Chapter leauing out the example euen as though it were not And if you vnderstand it so it is well if not then reade it and practise the example withall Are all one in signification but in this practise the one is taken in the noone line the other in the Zenith line of the place as in the 1. Cap. is noted The Verticall point The Zenith point The Horizontall point is alwayes that radiall degree of the north line reckned from the centre which is equall to the latitude or poles eleuation explaned both in the 1. 10. Cap. The Zenith line explaned in the 1. and 10. Cap. The North and South degrees are the 90. radiall degrees on the noone and north lines on each side of the Verticall point explaned in the 10. Cap. The East and West Hemispheares are thus in euery constitucion of this Astrolabe the Fiduciall line of the Zenitfer deuideth the Celestiall in halfe of which that halfe Eastwards of the noone line towards vi of the clocke in the morning I call the East Hemisphere the other halfe I call the West Hemispheare To play the Almicantifer in the East or West Hemisphere is as much to say as to keepe him moouing wholy on the East or West side of the noone line accordingly To apply the pointer to any Starre or Carect is to leade the Zenitfer and the Almicantifer about till you may cause the Apex of the pointer to touch the carect or the middle prick of the Starre To labell the Hower to the Sunne or Starres or them to the hower explaned in the 13. Cap. To prepare the Zenitfer to any altitude explaned in the 13. Cap. To prepare the Zenitfer to the Horizon is explaned in the 17. Cap. To prepare the Almicantifer to a particular latitude explaned in the 19. Cap. Also when it is sayd Place the Zenitfer or Labell to any Planet Starre or point it is meant that you must place the siduciall lines thereunto and that with relation to the centre The complement of any degree is so much as it lacketh of 90. degrees Lastly you shall vnderstand that in writing of this whole worke my meaning was that euery man should haue the furniture of this Astrolabe whether generall or particular made of mettall as commonly the furnitures of Globes are For which if any man shall repaire or send vnto me either by him selfe or by Maister Matts the bookeseller dwelling at the signe of the Plough ouer against S. Dunstons Church in Fleetstreete who shall easily at all times send any letter or notice weekely vnto me by our Carryers I will take such order that he shall haue them as reasonably done as may be And to the ende that euery man may see how it ought to be made in mettall I haue caused a rude patterne of each furniture in mettall to remaine with the sayd Maister Matts Notwithstanding for such as will not go to that little charge I haue vpon better aduisement caused the Zenitfer and Cursor to be imprinted with the Astrolabe to be set either on pastboord or cuttlers scale to serue the turne But in stead of the Almicantifer and his pointer then must they vse a thred and pearle which shall do in a manner as well for the pearle shall in all actions supply the steede of the pointer And in steede of the ledge of brasse in the beginning of the next Cap. mentioned he may haply cause a breadth of lantornes horne to be riuetted ouer the Zodiacke vnder which to place the Carects of the Planets made of paste-boord quilles or such like Cap. 4. ¶ How to place Carects of the Planets in this Astrolabe to serue there the whole weeke after FOR this purpose you shall take a paire of Compasse and pitch his one foote in the line beginning ♑ at 25 degrees from the-cliptickes pole and extend the other in the same line vnto 7 degrees of latitude and with that quantity describe a blinde circle on wh ch blinde circle so made you shal place a narrow hoope of lattin brasse riuetted on the Mater with 4 or 8 riuets at the most with so many thin bouisters vnder euery riuer that the hoope presse not hard on the Mater to the end that you may thrust vnder it some 9 Carrects 5 of them carying two Apices or pointers ioynted together made all of thin mettall and very narrow vz. 7 for the 7 Planets and 2 for the Moones cap and Cau. draconis there to sticke very fast till they be weekely remooued and let one of the Apices of each Carect be lesse and sleighter then the other which you shall better vnderstand by such as I haue and shall cause to be ready made to your hand then by manifold words These things prouided for then at the beginning of any weeke of any yeare proposed Admit for the beginning of the first Sunday in March which shall be Anno Domini 1598. you shall then by my Organum Vranicum which God willing long before that day shall be extant or by your Ephemeris or other Tables of the Planets motions get the true places of euery of the 7 Planets as well in Longitude as Latitude and of the ☊ and ☋ which on the said Sunday being the 5 day of March 1598 you shall by Stadius his Ephemerides finde the ☉ to be 25 degrees 3 minutes in ♓ the ☽ 2 degrees 40 minutes in ♋ hir Latitude then 4 degrees 30 min. North ♄ 2. degr 32 min. in ♎ in Latit 2 degr 44 min. North ♃ 9 degr 26 min. in ♊ in latit South 0 38 min. ♠in ♠1 degr 39 min. in ♋ in lat 2 degr 13 min. North ♀ 10 degr 51 min. in ♉ in latit 1 degr 40 min. North ☿ 4 degr 26 min. in ♈ in latit 2 degr 58 min. North ☊ 6. degr 16 min. in ♓ the ☋ is alwaies opposite vz. 6 degr 16 min. in ♠both which and likewise the ☉ neuer haue latitude Which places you shall reddily finde out in this Astrolabe by meanes of the circles of Longit. and Latit thereon described and vnto them set the chiefe Apex of each Planets Carect accordingly carefully prouiding that you set the Apex of the ☉ his Carect iustly to the-clipticke circle mentioned in the 2 Cap. at his exact degree and minute because he hath no Latitude and he is the Chiefetaine guide in all our worke following and so likewise the ☊ and ☋ as for all the rest you shall place their apices vnto the paralell circle expressing his Latitude at his degree of Longitude reckoned in the same paralell by help of the circles of longitude Which done you shall then againe either by your Vranicum or Ephemerides get in like sort the places of them all for the beginning of the next Sunday following which will be the 12 day of March that yeare 1598. the ☉ then being 1 degr 57 min. in ♈ the ☽ 27 deg 8 min.
degree offer to describe a circle it shall cut the-clipticke as before the pointer did at 22 degrees of ♓ and of â™ so the noone-line stand at his due place as before vz. at 30 or 60 degrees of the Celestialls limbe from the first constitution Cap. 28. ¶ Of the aspects of the Planets and how to finde them THere are in Astronomy three chiefe cardinall aspects as I may tearme them vz. the Coniunction marked thus ☌ and is when as two Planets meete in one degree and minute of longitude The Opposition marked thus ☠when as they are iust sixe signes in sunder The Quartile marked thus â–¡ when as they are three signes distant Also there are two other of lesse force vz. the Trine marked thus â–³ and is at foure signes distaunce And the Sextile marked thus âš¹ at two signes distaunce Which aspects are easily descryed euen by the very view on this Astrolabe when as the Planets are thereon planted by the 4 Cap. for who can not espye quickly when any Planet is coniunct or 2 3 4 or 6 signes off from any other or from any notable fixed Starre And yet for your better vnderstanding I haue from the beginning of ♑ drawne the radiall lines of each aspect and set the Carecters on them But now Alkabitius Bonatus and Dariottus will tell you that the Tryne and Sextile are good the â–¡ and ☠bad the coniunction of good Planets good of euill Planets bad and that the coniunction and ☠may be allowed so long as they are within one degree of another and the â–³ â–¡ and âš¹ when they come one within daunger of anothers beames which for ♄ or ♃ is at 9 degrees before and behinde for ♂ at 8 degrees ♀ and ☿ at seuen the ☽ at 12 the ☉ 15 degrees and so farre off their application and separation begnneth and endeth c. Also Io. Stophlerus noteth in this place propos 55. that though a Planet might haue 10 degr of latitude yet could it not make 30 min. difference in the aspect and that only in the âš¹ or â–³ and not to be regarded Also aspects are said to be dexter aspects when the beames proiect in sequens of the-clipticke and Sinister when in precedens Cap. 29. ¶ A new deuise of the Author to get the Planetary houres in all latitudes and of their Lords regnant THose houres which in these dayes we call Planetary houres for that Astronomers haue held opinion the Planets to haue their seuerall dominions in euery of them haue beene sometime called Horae inequales and Horae temporariae Their nature is to diuide euery naturall day betweene Sunne-rising and setting into 12 equall partes and euery naturall night into other 12. But because in all oblique Horizons the dayes and nightes lengthen and shorten with the Sommer and Winter therefore these houres growing great and lesse according to the time and latitude are called Inequales and Temporariae they are numbered in the day time from Sunne-rising ending at Sunne-set with 12 and there the houres of the night beginning do end the next morrow at Sunne-rising with 12. Thâ—se houres are most easily had by a speciall Instrument called Horarium Planetarium which I my selfe haue newly deuised generall to all Horizons which was neuer done before me that I haue seene and placed it at the top of the Celestiall comprehended in the Sextans of a circle whose arche containeth the houres of Sunne-rising and setting and within it is filled with a number of streight lines all parallell to the base of the Sextans representing the common equall and vsuall houres either of day or night which are numbered on the Sextans side downewards to 12 for the houres going before the sixt Planetary houre and thense backe againe outwards for the houres after And it must haue riding on his Centre a Labell or Scale of the Planetary houres of equall length to the side or base deuided into sixe equall parts numbered from the outer end inwards ending at the Centre with 6 and thense backe againe ending at 12 where it began This Labell or Index is also numbered from the Centre outwards vnto 12 for the vse of the 7 Cap. Now when the common houre of any day or night is giuen admit 10 of clocke 40 minutes afternoone the 12 of December 1583 being the houre of the natiuity of my neere kinseman Maister Walter Seint-Iohn sonne and heyre to Sir Iohn Seint-Iohn Knight of Lyddiard in the County of Willshire deceased and that you would know the Planetary houre you shall by the 17 Cap. first get the houre and minute of the Sunne setting that day if the houre giuen be of the day or of the Sunne rising if the question as that natiuity was be of the night vz. you shall finde it about 8 ¼ of clocke in the morning and vnto that houre vz. 8 ¼ sought in the Sextans arche set the fiduciall line of the Planetary Scale where immediately you shall see the houre-line equall to your houre giuen vz. the 10 â…” houre-line reckoned in the Sextans side inwards for that midnight will be the 6 Planetary houre to cut off in the Planetary Scale the Planetary houre desired vz. it shall cut â…” partes of the 9 Planetary houre And if now you desire to knowe what Planet beareth dominion that houre resort vnto the domineering Table which I haue placed at the lower corner of the Celestiall and therein seeke the day or night of the weeke proposed accounting Sunday for the first Munday the second c. wherein your houre was giuen vz. Thursday night being the 5 night I seeke the figure 5 by the title Noctes and follow that range of Carects vntill you come vnder your Planetary houre founde vz. vnder the houre figure of 9 and there shall you finde ♄ the Planet domineering that houre Note that if you had no domineering Table you might easily make it by hart beginning the first houre on Sunday with the ☉ and then reckoning the Planets on your fingers ends thus ☉ ♀ ☿ ☽ ♄ ♃ ♂ ☉ ♀ ☿ ☽ ♄ c. till you haue done 24 so shall you finde the 25 in this accoumpt to be ☽ and thereof Munday is called dies Lune and on Tewsday will fall out ♂ if you reckon on and thereof called dies Martis euen so Wensday dies Mercurij of ☿ Thursday dies Iouis of ♃ Friday dies Veneris of ♀ Saterday dies Saturni of ♄ and all by reason of this accoumpt of the 7 Planets Cap. 30. ¶ How you shall knowe to set forwards and backwards any of the fixed Starres vnto their true places for any age past or to come I Haue in the 2 Cap. sufficiently shewed by what meanes the fixed Starres are in apparance from age to age forced out of one signe and degree into another through the sliding backe of the Equinoctiall intersections with the-clipticke preceeding orderly and equally almost euery 67 yeares a degree which is called the Medius or Aequalis motus precessionis
Astrolabium Vranicum Generale A Necessary and Pleasaunt solace and recreation for Nauigators in their long Iorneying Containing the vse of an Instrument or generall Astrolabe Newly for them deuised by the Author to bring them skilfully acquainted with all the Planets Starres and constellacions of the Heauens and their courses mouings and apparences called the Vranicall Astrolabe In which Agreeable to the Hipothesis of Nicolaus Copernicus the Starry Firmament is appointed perpetually fixed and the earth and his Horizons continually mouing from West towards the East once about euery 24 houres Fraught also by new deuise with all such necessary supplements for Iudiciall Astrology as ALKABITIVS CLAVDIVS DARIOTTVS haue deliuered by their Tables Wherevnto for their further delight he hath anexed another inuention expressing in one face the whole Globe terrestriall with the two great english voyages lately performed round about the world Compyled by IOHN Bâ—â—GRAVE of Reading Gentleman the samâ— well willer to the Mathematicks Anno. 1596. Printed by Thomas Purfoot for William Matts ¶ To the Right Honorable-Lord the Lord Charles Haward Baron of Effingham Lord high Admirall of England c. RIght Honorable for so much as my selfe with the whole progeny of our name haue beene alwayes exceedingly bounde Next to the Right Honorable our good Lord the Lord Burleigh Lord high Treasurer of England Vnto the late right Honorable Sir Fraunces Knolles the elder Knight Treasurer of her highnesse most honourable household deceased in regard of their sinceare iustice and charitable respect of most iniurious and wicked practises heretofore vehemently prosecuted against vs for no lesse then the liuing we all possessed Both whome therefore vnder your Lordships good fauour I can not but in all my best indeuours during life remember Not forgetting as in duty I am bound the Right Honorable Sir William Knolles Knight now Controller of her Maiesties sayd most honorable household and such other his right worshipfull and honorable minded off-spring as still remaine our good fauorers Amongst whom the right Worship M. Robert Knolles more then a yeare passed of his accustomed kindnes aduertised me that your L. I know not by what meanes vnderstanding of my indeuors in these Mathematick Sciences was pleased to take further notice of me by my personall presence For the which as the time hath not bin fitting by reason of your L. most serious important honorable imployments aswell to the seas as otherwise this yeare 1596 well knowne to the whole world So haue I bin willing to catch hold of the opportunity thereof so far as in the meane time to hammer out if selfliking deceiue me not a rare piece of Mathematicke stuffe to bring vnto your L. view together with my self tending both to the profit and pleasure of all worthy english Gent. that either addict themselues to contemplacion at home or to Marine traueyles abroad Which if it may receiue fauorable allowance at your good L. hands I shall thinke my selfe suffiicieÌ„tly defended against all ignorant or malignaÌ„t detractors and be the rather hereafter encouraged to go forwards with like matters Thus praying vnto God for the long preseruacion of your Honour I cease Your Lordships most humble Iohn Blagraue To the curteous Reader GEntle Reader the eares of my guilty conceit being continually troubled with such a noyse and clamor for my Organum Vranicum and the second part of my Mathematicall Iewell so long and largely promised as the greedy Auditors are woont to make at a Stage-play calling Come away howe with boyes throwing vollyes of stones ratling at the gates of my otherwise buisied imployments for staying so long Maketh me heere in haste God graunt to your liking to come vp the Stage with a little but rare piece of Mathematicke Musickly pleasure not impertinent to the matter to be acted to stay your languishing expectations both woorth the acceptacion which I dare boldly aduouch against the doggedst detractor that shall contradict and sufficient to entertaine the time vntill Midsomer or Michelmas Terme at the farthest when as if God permit the stately Comedy of Queene Vranya hir Pageants shall abundantly offer themselues to your pleasant viewe Sollace your selues I pray you heerewith the whiles and be bold with me if in any thing you doubt You shall haue me God willing once euery Terme in London ready to your wish at a poore lodging within Maister Greenes Wharfe neere vnto Charing Crosse and at Maister Ralfe Iacksons at the signe of the Swan in S. Paules Churchyard or at Maister William Matts Stationer at the signe of the Plough ouer against S Dunstons Church in Fleetestreete who hath the Impression of this Booke you shall euer know whether I be at any time in the Citty With whome I haue taken order to furnish with these Instruments and their supplements any that shall want them ⧠The Contents of the Chapters of this worke of the Vranicall Astrolabe Cap. 1. OF the partes of this new Astrolabe Cap. 2. Of the Celestiall proiectinent in this new Astrolabe and how the longitudes and latitudes of the Starres are thereby had Cap. 3. Of certaine abbreuiated tearmes or phrases of arte appertayning to this new Astrolabe Cap. 4. How to place Carects of the Planets in this Astrolabe to serue there the whole weeke after Cap. 5. How by this new Astrolabe to finde the true place of the ☉ perpetually Cap. 6. How to rectifye the true place of the Sunne to all places of the world Cap. 7. How to rectifye the place of the ☽ or of any other Planet to any other Meridian Cap. 8. How to know the declinacion and right ascenscion of any Planet fixed Starre or point of the heauens and their degree of Culminacion Cap. 9. How to finde the true Meridian in any Countrey by helpe of this Astrolabe Cap. 10. How to attaine the latitude or Poles Eleuacion in any countrey vnknowne and to choose out the Verticall point in the noone-line the Horizontall point in the North line and the Zenith line seruing thereunto Cap. 11. How to take the Meridian altitude of the Sunne or any Planet or Starre and thereby to get the latitude in any Countrey Cap. 12. How to know what day of the yeare it were if it were forgotten Cap. 13. How to know what it is a clocke at any time either night or day by the Sunne Planets or Starres Cap. 14. Another more easy way to finde the houre by the Starres Cap. 15. Another easy way by the ☽ Cap. 16. How to know the Meridian altitude of the ☉ or any other Planet Starre or point of the heauens in any Countrey and what houre of the day or night any of them shall culminate or come to the Meridian of that place Cap. 17. How to know the houre of Sunne-rising and setting and the length of the day and night together with his oblique ascension and his difference of ascenscion any day in the yeare Cap. 18. To know the houre of rising or setting of any other
Planet Starre or point in the heauens and their diurnall and nocturnall arches and their oblique ascenscions and difference of ascenscions in any countrey Cap. 19. How to set particular degrees on the Almicantiser for any perticular latitude Cap. 20. How to know the Amplitude of rising or setting of the Sunne or Starres Cap. 21. To know what Starres do neuer rise or set in any latitude and which do once a day touch the Zenith point or Horizontall point Cap. 22. To know any day and houre what Starres or points in the heauens are in or neere the Meridian or do rise or set in any latitude Cap. 23. How to know the houre distance of any Planet Starre or point of the heauens from the Meridian any day and yeare proposed in any latitude Cap. 24 How to know the height of the Sunne or of any other Planet or Starre for any houre of the day any yeare in any latitude Cap. 25. How you shall most easily learne to know all the constellacions and Starres in the element it selfe Cap. 26. Of the 4 Cardines and the sundry rising and setting of the fixed Starres with the Planets Cap. 27. Of the 12 houses and setting the Figure Cap. 28. Of the aspects of the Planets and Starres and how to finde them Cap. 29. A new deuise of the Author to get the Planetary houres most easily in all latitudes and of their Lordes regnant Cap. 30. How you shall know to set forwards and backwards any of the fixed Starres vnto their true places for any ages past or to come Cap. 31. How by helpe of this Astrolabe to get the longitude and latitude of any Planet yea or of any Starre or Comet seene Cap. 32. A ready way by helpe of this Astrolabe heereafter to obserue the motions of Comets Astrolabium Vranicum Generale Heere followeth the booke of the vse of the Vranicall Astrolabe Newly deuised by Iohn Blagraue of Reading Gentleman Cap. 1. ¶ Of the partes of this new Astrolabe THis Astrolabe hath three generall partes that is to say the Celestiall the Zenitfer with his Cursor and the Almicantifer with his Pointer I call that part the Celestiall heere which in other Astrolabes is called the Mate◠of which I will largely speake in the next Chap. The Zenitfer beeing but as a playne rule of one ynch bredth mooueth vpon the Celestiall in stead of a Reete vsed in other Astrolabes and hath a circular Lymbe thereto annexed neere vnto the Centre which I call the Circulus horarius or houre circle with the 24. houres and their partes thereon as you see Neither is it materiall of what quantity that houre circle or lymbe be of so it be concentricke to the Astrolabe and placed so that it hide fewest Starres in his moouing And for seruice of this circle there is written at the vpper end of this Zenitfer Meridies and at the lower end Media nox and therefore the fiduciall line thereof from the Centre vpwards to Meridies is generally called the Noone line the other part from the Centre downewardes vnto Media nox the North line Then hath it 90 Zenith lines standing in ascents one aboue another like Organ pipes in stead of the 90 generall Horizons before time vsed issuing or growing out of the 90 Zenith points for the lowest points of these 90 lines neerest vnto the centre vnto which their numbers are set from 0 to 90 do represent the true Zenithes of all places These 90. Zenith lines are by certaine thwart curued lines parted euery one into 90 vneuen parts of which some run out infinitely and those partes I call the Altitude rootes or the Almicantare rootes and for breuities sake sometimes Rootes without any addition These Rootes do helpe vs to generall Almicantares or circles of Altitude for any Latitude by a rare deuise by me first found out They are numbered on the outer side of the Zenitfer from their extreame points inwards towards their sayd Zenith points ending at them with 90. Also to the Fiduciall line of this Zenitfer is anexed a scale in which are planted the Radiall degrees of the proiectement on both sides of the Scale because they require double numbering for sundry purposes And of those which bound on the Fiduciall line those at the noone line are numbered from the Equinoctiall intersection both waies vz. towards Meridies as farre as the Zenithfer will giue leaue which are about 36 and towards the Centre ending there at 90. which 90 radiall degrees of the noone line towards the Centre do serue with the other 36 to descry the declinations of the fixed Starres and Planets but chiefely they serue for the 90 Zenithes which appertaine to the 90 generall Horizons and for distinction sake I call them the 90 Verticall points and they exactly answere vnto the 90. lower ends of the 90 Zenith lines which before I called the 90 Zenith points in so much that the fiduciall line of the Cursor in his moouing cutteth the Zenith point and the Verticall point of any latitude both at once The other Radiall degrees in the North line are numbred from the centre towards Media nox ending at the Equinoctials intersexion therewith at 90 and do serue for the 90 intersections of the 90 generall Horizons therewith and therefore I call them the 90 Horizontall points And of those radyall degrees which bound on the other side of the Scale which indeede serue to the getting of the 12 houses generally as is shewed in the 27 Cap. The Norther 90 towards Media nox are numbred inwards towards the Centre ending there at 90 contrary to the former And the Souther of those radiall degrees are numbred from the Centre outwards towards Meridies two to one as farre as they will go that is to say euery 10 make but 5 and these do serue but in stead of rootes to the other and therefore I call them the Domifieng rootes Also there adioyneth vnto the Radiall scale of the North line betweene the centre and the Zenith lines a certaine scale of slope lines numbered in the middest beginning but from 60 and ending at the centre with 90 which I call the Domifieng Scale for that the two extreames of euery of those slope lines do help to get 8 of the 12 houses in that latitude whose number it sheweth as in the 27 Cap. is manifested and vnto the outer edge of this Domifieng scale are also anexed part of the former radiall degrees all hauing relacion to them on the North line Then hath this Zenitfer a certaine runner or Cursor whose fiduciall line alwayes runneth exactly square to the fiduciall line of the Zenitfer And at the common meeting of both those fiduciall lines this Cursor hath iointed vnto him a kinde of Labell or loose scale which I call the Almicantifer who to supply the generall vse of the Almicantares hath no manner of matter on him but another Cursor which I call a Pointer But now for any man that desireth to haue this
13 ½ degrees Southwards from the Equinoctialls intersection and apply that degree by moouing about the Zenitfer vnto the clipticke circle according as you gesse the time of the yeare to be vz. If you thinke it to be betweene Midsomer and Christmas then apply the same 13 â…“ degr vnto the autumnall hemicicle where ♋ ☊ ♠♎ â™ â™ are where it must needes touch vpon the 24 degree of â™’ if betweene Christmas and Midsomer then vnto the vernall hemicircle of the others Signes where it must needes our the 6 of â™ and there shall most assuâ—edly be thâ— tru◠〈…〉 the Sunne for that day Which bring had then you may easily by the 5. Cap. euersed as well finde the day answerable thereto as there you found the Sunnes place answerable to the day vice versa Prouided that the Sunnes place be rectified as in the 6. Cap. if neede be Cap. 13. ¶ How to know what it is a clocke at any time either night or day by the Sâ—nne Planets or Starres YOu must alwayes intend that the Planets are weekely placed as in the 3. Cap. is taught Also obserue this rule generall to keepe the noone-line of the Zenitfer still vpwards by turning about your Astrolabe imagining your face turned still to the South except when you are specially to deale with the North line then keepe him vpwards and then imagine your face turned towards the North. Now when you desire to knowe the houre of the day or night you shall as in the last Cap. is mentioned either by a Quadrant or this Astrolabe take the Altitude of the Sunne at any time in the day or in the night of any Starre For Example this yeare 1596 the 2 of October in the morning at my poore house at Swallowfeyld by Reading to see how the time passed I tooke the altitude of the Sunne 15 degrees high And the same euening I tooke the altitude of the great Starre Arcturus 10 degrees high towards the West Which had then shall you prepare your Almicantifer vnto that altitude thus In the Zenith line chosen by the 7. Cap. for your place vz. in the 51 â…” Zenith line for vs heere about Reading seeke out among his Almicantare rootes the number of that Altitude taken vz. in the morning I sought 15 for the ☉ and at night 10 for Arcturus there plant the Cursor then reckon on the North line froÌ„ your Horizontall point found by the 7 inwards towards the centre the same altitude againe vz. froÌ„ the Horizontall point of our latitude being the 51 â…” deg of the North-line counted from the center I reckoned inwards for the ☉ 15 degrees and for Arcturus 10 degrees the one fell out at 36 â…” degrees from the center the other at 41 â…” and thereto set the pointer of the Almicantifer which poynter and Cursor so set I call the Almicantifer prepared Then leade about the Almicantifer which must also leade after him the noone-line vntill the pointer come to touch exactly either the Apex of the Sunnes Carect or the very centre of the Starre by which soeuer you deale and this I call the applying of the pointer to any Planet or Starre There hold the Zenitfer fast and slide downe the Cursor to the centre applying there his Fiduciall line labell-wise to the Sunne which shall shew you in the houre circle the houre desired and this I call labelling of the Sunne to the houre circle Yet vpon these condicions that if you deale for the East Hemispheare that is to say if your altitude taken were on the East part of the Meridian vz. betweene the North and South Eastwards as for the ☉ it was then in this leading about shall the Almicantifer play leftwards of the noone-line towards 6 of clocke in the morning of the houre circle which I call the East Hemispheare and so to leade the noone-line after it leftwards but if your altitude taken were on the West part as for Arcturus it was then shall the Almicantifer play and keepe on the right side of the noone-line towards 6 of clocke at night and leade him about rightwards after him According to which precept the said 2 of October in the morning I applied the Almicantifer his pointer prepared as is said vnto 15 deg to the Apex of the ☉ placed as is said at 20 â…“ of ♎ in the East Hemispheere and there did I labell to the Sunne which shewed me halfe an houre past 8 in the morning the houre desired Likewise at night I applied the pointer prepared and planted for 10 degrees vnto Arcturus in the West Hemispheare because Arcturus was in the West and then againe I labelled to the ☉ which shewed me in the Houre circle halfe an houre past 7 of the clocke at night the houre desired For alwayes Locus Solis ostendit horam And I dare boldly say that neuer was seene before this more facillitie to know the houre by the Starres by any other Astrolabe or Instrument whatsoeuer Cap. 14. ¶ Another more easy way to finde the houre by the Starres HAuing your Meridian planted about your dwelling place as in the 6 Cap. is taught see into the element if any Starre you know well as by the 25 Cap. you shall easily know hem all be euen therewith either on the South or North part And vpon that Starre sought in the Celestiall place accordingly the North line or noone line either of them now esteemed from the Zenith point and there labell to the ☉ so shall the houre sought shew it selfe in the houre circle vnder the fiduciall line of the Labell or Almicantifer now vsed Labell-wise after the woonted manner this needeth no example If you haue no Meridian perpendiculers set you may at any time presently set them with two stickes by the Pole-Starre it selfe sufficient for this purpose I my selfe alwayes kept a standing marke ready set in such sort that some tree chimney top or gable end should be directly South from the same If no Starre be in the South or North it is not hard to gesse the distaunce of the neerest you see and place your noone or North line accordingly especially by two Starres on either side one to marke what part of their distance your Meridian cutteth and accordingly to place the noone or North line betweene them Cap. 15. ¶ Another easy way by the ☽ TAke the houre which the shade of the ☽ giueth on any Sunne-dyall seeke the same houre in the houre circle and labell it to the Moones Carect planted by the 3. Cap. and then holding fast the Zenitfer labell to the Sunnes Carect which shall shew in the houre circle the houre desired Cap. 16. ¶ How to know the meridian Altitude of the Sunne or any other Planet Starre or point of the heauens in any countrey and what houre of the day or night any of them shall culminate or come to the Meridian of that place THE Carects being planted by the 3 Cap. you shall but applye the noone-line
to the Apex or Centre of the Planet Starre or point desired and the degrees thereon found betweene the Verticall point and it taken out of 90 leaueth the Meridian altitude desired whether it be North or South and there also if you labell to the Sunne it shall shew you in the houre circle the time when that Planet Starre or point commeth to the Meridian For example the noone-line brought to the Sunnes chiefe Apex being planted by the 3 cap. at 263 min. in ♓ his place for the 5 of March 1598. you shall finde him by the degrees of the noone-line 53 degrees distaunt from our Verticall point heere at Reading therein vz. from the 51 â…” degr thereof which 53 taken out of 90 leaueth 37 the Meridian altitude In like manner for any Starre Admit oculus tauri the noone-line applyed to his middle pricke you shall finde it distaunt from our Verticall point 35 â…” degr that taken out of 90 leaueth 54 â…“ his Meridian altitude As if you make tryall by obseruacion as in the 8 Cap. is taught you shall finde it so And if you there labell to the ☉ you shall finde it to cut in the houre-circle 4 of clocke in the after noone and almost halfe an houre past which is the time that oculus tauri shall come vnto the Meridian the sayd 6 of March 1598. But when you worke for the Sunne as before he onely is himselfe the pointer of houres and therefore must needes be in the Meridian at Noone or 12 of clocke But if it be for any North Starre that neuer setteth and that you would know his meridian altitude vnder the Pole apply the North line thereto and the degrees thereof betweene it and the Horizontall point is your desire and there also labell to the Sunne and it shall shew you the houre Cap. 17. ¶ How to know the houre of Sunne-rising and setting and the length of the day and night together with his oblique ascencion and his difference of ascencion any day in the yeare YOur day and yeare proposed Admit the said 8 day of Iune this yeare 1596 in the 3 Cap. mentioned when our most noble Lords lanched from Plimmouth towardes Spayne and the Sunnes Apex placed by the 3 cap. vnto 27 degrees 58 min. of ♊ Then shall you set the Cursor vnto the outer end of the Zenith line of your countrey vz. vnto the 0 almicantare roote of the 51 Zenith line being for the latitude of Plymouth and there fastening the Cursor apply the pointer vnto the Horizontall point of Plimouth being the 51 degree of the North line and this I call preparing of the Zenitfer to the Horizon Now first to begin for the Sunne-rising being thus prepared you shall according to the precept in the 9 Cap. let the Almicantifer play on the East Hemicicle and there apply his pointer to the Sunnes Apex at 27 degr 58 min. in ♊ there hold fast 〈◊〉 Zenitfer and Labell to the Sunne so shall appeare in 〈◊〉 â—oure circle 4 of clock in the morning and somwhat lesse the time of the Sunne-rising for your 8 of Iune 1596 at Plimouth day and yeare proposed And if there also you labell to the East point or 6 of clock in the morning of the houre circle it shall shew you in the limbe of the Celestiall 56 degr 20 min. the oblique ascencion of the Sunne for that time and place he is in which taken out of the right ascencion of his place of 27 degr 58 min. of ♊ being 87 ½ degr had by the 8 Cap. there shall remaine 31 deg 10 min. the difference of ascencion In the very like manner worke for the Sunne-seâ—ting by letting the Almicantifer to play on the West Hemicicle and there apply the pointer againe to the Sunnes Apex vz. to the foresaid 27 degr 58 min. of ♊ and there labell to the ☉ so shall you see in the houre circle some 10 min. after 8 of clocke at night the houre of Sunne-set and the space of houres numbered betweene Sunne-rising and setting being 16 houres â…“ is the length of the day and those 16 â…“ houres takeÌ„ out of 24 houres leaueth 7 â…” houres the length of the night Also the houre of Sunne set vz 8 â…™ doubled any day maketh 16 â…“ houres the iust length of the day as before And heere also if you labell to the West point of the houre circle it shall shew you in the Celestialls limbe 118 deg 30 mi. the oblique descencion in the said 51 latitude As for the difference of descencion it is all one with the difference of ascencion This Chapter is most easily to be performed by the particular moouer in the 1 Cap. mentioned For if you mooue it about leftwards vz. from West towards East according to Copernicus Hipothesis and contrary to all other Astrolabes till the East part of the particular Horizon come to the Sunne the Labell layd thereon sheweth the houre of rising and continuing that moouing till the Wester part of the Horizon come to the Sunne the Labell there applyed sheweth the Sunne setting yea and more then that the Labell there at both places sheweth the amplitude of the Sunne rising and setting by the prospectiue degrees of the Horizon Note that if you would be curious you should at Sunne rising apply the Labell a quarter of a degree short and for the Sunne setting a quarter of a degree further on in the-clipticke then the Sunnes Apex is planted in regard of the Sunnes diurnall motion being euery 24 houres almost a degree for that the Apex is set but iust for noone the reason whereof is shewed in the 6. Cap. Note also that for the rising and setting of Starres and the other Planets they are to be done by the particular in all respects as for the Sunne sauing that you must remember semper locus solis ostendit horam Also the getting of the assencions and descencions haue all one working with the generall Cap. 18. ¶ To know the houre of rising or setting of any other Starre Planet or point in the Heauens and their diurnall and nocturnall arches and their oblique assencions and difference of assencion in any Countrey IN all these cases where we intreate of the houre it is intended that the Sunnes place is set by the 3. Cap. admit at 26 degr 3 min. in Pisces for the 5 day of March 1598. Now to knowe the time of rising or setting of any Planet Starre or point proposed admit the great Starre Arcturus for any time and place proposed you shall prepare the Almicantifer to the Horizon proposed in all respects as in the last Cap. you did vz. the Cursor planted vnto the outermost end of the 51 â…” Zenith line and the pointer vnto the 51 â…” Horizontall point seruing with vs heere at Reading And then for the time of rising you must let the Almicantifer play on the East Hemicicle and there apply the pointer to the centre of Arcturus the Starre or point proposed
and there holding fast the Zenitfer labell to the Sunne so shall you finde cut in the houre circle about 20 min. past 6 of clocke in the afternoone the houre and time of his rising And there also if you labell to the East point of the houre-circle it sheweth in the limbe of the Celestiall 280 â…“ degrees the oblique ascencion of the same Starre or point Arcturus in the 51 â…” latitude proposed which taken out of the right ascencion 209 â…“ had by the 8 Cap. leaueth 19 degrees the difference Note that if happily you thinke your houre circle with the smallest to direct you to the oblique ascencion exactly when you lay the Labell on the East or West points know that he must cut the like part of the Degree where he lighteth as the noone-line or North-line do in the degrees where they are Note also that to knowe the oblique ascencion is as much to say as to know what dâ—gree of the Aequinoctiall doth rise with any Starre or Planet on any oblique Horizon As for the houre of setting let the Almicantifer prepared as before play on the West Hemicicle and aply the pointer there againe on the said Starre Arcturus or point proposed where if you labell to the Sunne at 26 degrees 3 min. in ♓ it shall shewe you in the houre-circle 20 min. past 10 the next morning the time of his setting and the houres reckoned on the houre-circle betweene his time of rising and setting being 16 is his diurnall arch which taken out of 24 leaueth 8 houres his nocturnall arch Cap. 19. ¶ How to set perticular degrees on the Almicantifer for any perticular latitude I Do not stand making speciall Chapters of the vse of the perticular moouer in the 1 Cap. mentioned because it consisteth but of the very same Horizon circle and 12 houses of one perticular latitude which old 1 Stophlerus and our old english Laureat G. Chaucer haue so largely and plainely written of withall being a thing most commonly in vse and differing in nothing but that they according to the auncient Astronomers appointed the Starry Heauens to mooue rightwards from East towards West vppon the earth or fixed Horizon of the place And I according to Copernicus cause the earth or Horizon to moue leftwards from West towards East vppon the Starry Firmament fixed In so much that if in this my Astrolabe you hold still that perticular moouer with one hand and with your vnder hand turne about the Celestiall then is it iumpe Stophler againe In which motion a pretty thing to note one that standeth by shall hardly perceiue any other but that the Reete mooueth although in deede you turne about the Mater strongly confirming Copernicus Argument who sayth that the weakenesse of our senses do imagine the Heauens to mooue about euery 24 houres from East to West by a Primum mobile where as in deede they haue been alwayes fixed and it is the earth that whirleth about euery 24 houres from West to East of his owne propper nature allotted vnto him as most fit for the receptacle of all transitory things being appointed in a place where nothing is to stay him from his continuall moouing but of those things I haue more iust occasion to intreate of in my Organum Vranicum very shortly to come foorth But now if the sayd particular moouer should also haue his perticular Almicantares like the Reete of my Iewell tediously cut out they would much obscure this faire face of the Celestiall very needlesse because the perticular Zenith-line of the place with his 90 rootes annexed to the noone-line for the Cursor to play vppon and the perticular degrees by this Cap. prepared on the Almicantifer shall serue in all respects as well or rather better And the manner of preparing them is in a manner already set downe in the 13 Cap. Yet is it more easily to be done by a perticular whose radyall degrees on the North line which before I haue tearmed North degrees are or should be ready numbered from the Horizontall point towards the Verticall point ending there at 90 degrees which in the generall can not be suffered Wherefore keeping the fiduciall line of the Almicantifer euen with the North line then sliding the Cursor from roote to roote of the 90 rootes of your perticular Zenith line set nickes in the Almicantifer at euery degree from degree to degree of the 90 North degrees numbered from the Horizontall point towards the Verticall point correspondent to each roote as they passe in order till the whole 90 particular degrees be in manner as in the 13 Cap. is shewed by those nicks placed on the Almicantifer and then distinguish them by tennes and set numbers vnto them accordingly so are they very ready for diuers speciall purposes in one latitude and if neede were a man may by the two edges on both faces set the like in for foure latitudes and those will neere be sufficient for any one region or prouince or else he might haue it made with some chanell to receiue a slip of velome or paste-boorde whereon with pen and inke speedily to prepare it for any latitude Cap. 20. ¶ How to know the amplitude of the rising or setting of the Sunne or Starres THE true East and West points of any Horizon are the Intersections of the Equinoctiall therewith and that is the cause why in describing the generall Horizons they make them all to meete at two points which are those and for that cause it is manifest that there can no Planet Starre or point of the heauens rise or set directly in the true East or West points of any Horizon but only such as are scituate for the time being in the Aeqâ—inoctiall circle Wherefore those that are North from the Equinoctiall must needes rise and set Northwards from the true East and West points and those that are Southwards rise and set Southwards and that more or lesse according to their distaunce and the obliquitie of the Horizon proposed And the degrees of the Horizon circle betweene the true East and West points and their rising and setting are called the amplitude of rising and setting which in the perticular moouer are immediately seene by the degrees of the Horizon circle as in the 17 Cap is sayd but by the generall it asketh a little paines in this manner Get the oblique ascencion of the Sunne Starre or point proposed for the time and place by the 17 or 18 Cap. which for the Sunne was in the Horizon of Plymouth the day of the prosperous setting foorth of our saide noble Lords founde in the 17 Cap. 56 degrees 20 minutes of the Celestialls limbe and thereto apply the noone-line and there hold the Zenithfer fixed where it you haue the Almicantifâ—r by the last Cap prepared for the first latitude vz. vnto the Zenith line neerest vnto the noone-line whose Horizontall point is in the centre of the Astrolabe and then running the Cursor downe by the rootes of the same first Zenith
line keeping the fiduciall line of the Almicantifer still on the Sunne Starre or point proposed vntill the Cursor among the rootes and the ☉ or Starre among the prepared degrees doe cut like number for then is the complement thereof the degrees of the amplitude sought But if your Almicantifer be not prepared thâ—n must you prepare him and his pointer as in the 13 Cap. is taught first to one degree of altitude then to another making still proffers to the ☉ or Starre till the pointer touch vppon it which will fall out at 41 degrees of that first Zenith line and latitude and the degrees so found taken out of 90 leaueth 49 degrees the amplitude of the ☉ sought Cap. 21. ¶ To know what Starres do neuer rise or set in any latitude and which do once a day touch the Zenith point or the Horizontall point THis matter is most easy your Verticall point and Horizontall point chosen by the 10 Cap. to be done by the bare moouing about of the Zenitfer for in that motion such Starres as the tayle of Vrsa maior and the head of Perseus and such like as touch the Verticall point be sure in our 51 â…” latit heere at Reading do come once in 24 houres to the Zenith of that place And such as do not reach vnto the 51 â…” Horizontall point as all Vrsa maior but 2 Starres Vrsa minor Cassiopeia Cepheus c do nâ—uer et And such as touch vppon the Horizontall point as Caput Meâ—â—â—se lucida lyre the ring of Andromedaes cheine c. do once in 24 houres touch vppon the Horizon of the 51 â…” latitude proposed yet do not set vnder it By the particular moouer these things are most plainely perceiued and reddily done by the moouing of the Horizon circle about Cap. 22. ¶ To know any day and houre what Starres or points in the Heauens are in or neere the Meridian or do rise or set in any Latitude THis matter is as easy as the last Labell the Sunne admit placed at 20 degrees 10 min. in ♎ for the 2. of October 1596 to any houre in the houre circle admit to 8 of clock at night and so shall the noone-line of the Zenitfer shew the two Starres called Caude Capricorni and Lucida Hidri but a little past c. such Starres as are the same instant in the South and the 12 degree of Aquarius in the medium Celi vnder the noone-line And there holding fast the Zenitfer being prepared vnto the Horizon 51 â…” heere at Reading proposed leade the Almicantifer about the East Hemispheare and looke what Starres as part of Perseus one of the heads of ♊ the Bulles head the sinne of the Whale c. you shall finde the pointer to touch vppon the same assuredly do euen that moment emerge and rise on the Horizon That done the Zenitfer still remayning and prepared to the Horison as before leade the Almicantifer about the West Hemispheare and you shall finde the pointer to touch vppon such Starres vz. one in the arme pit another in the bowe of â™ c. as are euen then ready to set and go downe vnder the Horizon This is also most easy by the Horizon circle of the particular which being but set to the houre the Starres rising appeare in the East Hemispheare and those setting in the West and those in the Meridian vnder the noone-line Cap. 23. ¶ How to know the houre distance of any Planet Starre or point of the Heauens from the Meridian any day and yeare proposed and in any latitude THat is to say how many houres any Planet Starre or point admit oculus Tauri not being in the South at any time assigned admit at 10 of clocke at night the 5 of March 1598. will be before he come to the Meridian of any place admit our Meridian heere at Reading in the 51 â…” latitude proposed or if he be past how many houres he is past You shall labell the houre giuen in the houre-circle vz. 10 of clocke at night to the ☉ planted as in the 3 Cap. at 26 degr 3 min. of ♓ there holde fast the Zenitfer and labell to your Starre oculus Tauri or point proposed so doth the labell shew in the houre-circle fiue houres â…” almost Westwards and therefore past the Meridian the houre and part that the Starre or point is distant which if it be on the East part then is not that Starre or point come to the Meridian if Westwards as heere it was then is he past the Meridian 5 â…” houres so many houres Cap. 24. ¶ How to know the height of the Sunne or of any other Planet or Starre for any houre of the day any yeare in any latitude SEeke your houre proposed admit 10 of clock in the morning the 2 of Octob. 1596 in our 51 â…” lati in the houre-circle labell it to the Suns carect at 20 d. 10 mi. in ♎ there hold the Zenitfer fast Now if the particular degrees be planted on the Almicantifer as in the 19 Cap. is taught you shall keeping the fiduciall line of the Almicantifer on the Starre or Sonnes Apex neede but to slide the Cursor too and fro on the Zenith line of the 51 â…” latitude proposed vntill the Cursor among the rootes of that 51 â…” Zâ—nith-line and the Sunnes Apex or centre of the Starre admit of oculus ♉ among the particular degrees of the Almicantifer do cut like number which you shall finde for the ☉ to be at the 25 roote and 25 particular degrees and for oculus tauri at the 3 ½ roote and 3 ½ particular degrees for those shall be the degrees of the Sunne or Starres altitude sought But if your Almicantifer haue not the particular degrees then must you as in the 13 Cap. is taught prepare it to some degree at a venture and make a proffer to the Sunne or Starre to see if the pointer will touch it if it do not prepare it againe and againe if neede be further off or neerer as the cause requireth till it do hit as in the 20 Cap. you did which with a very little practise will be as easy as the particular This and the 20 are the onely two hardest in the booke and therefore spare not so little paines as they require Cap. 25. ¶ How you shall most easily learne to know all the Constellations and Starres in the element it selfe EVen as a lofe of dowe or paste after it is new moulden round and copped if you then put it into a presse will become a flat cake Euen such a cake made of the round Spheare or Globe pressed is the Celestiall of our new Astrolabe which I would haue you now for this purpose imagine to be a lofe or round Globe againe and that euery of his circles had their due conuexities in such sort that a little pretty fellowe like Tom Thumbe might easily seate himselfe vnder them as vnder a Canapy in the very centre of the concauity with this conceite if at
any houre of any night giuen admit at 10 of clocke at night the saide 5 of March 1598 you hauing first placed that houre of the houre-circle vnto the Sunnes Carect placed by the 3 Cap. vnto 26 degr 3 min. of ♓ there fastning the Zenithfer And then going abroade by help of your Meridian set as in the 9 Cap. do place your Astrolabe flat on some stoole plaine leuell with the Horizon with his noone-line directed towards the South euen with the saide Meridian line and the North line towardes the North. Then with a priuy skonce and candle one while viewing your Astrolabe another while hiding the light and viewing the element you shall soone perceiue all the Starres of any constellacion in the heauens which are then aboue your Horizon in the like proportion one from another and differing in their magnitudes as in the Celestiall they are described in so much that your little pretty fellow sitting in the centre vnder this conceited canapy of Starres and images if it were transparent as glasse or crystall should there plainely see the Starres in the element each answering his match in this canapy by the visuall lines from his eye especially if the noone-line be eleuated according to the Equinoctialls height or latitudes complement because the proiectment is polare But if this do not satisfye you sufficiently then is best for you hauing placed your Zenitfer as before by the houre proposed to see by the 22 Cap. what Starres are vnder or neere the noone-line and of which magnitude they are you shall finde at 10 of clocke the 5 of March 1598 the great Starre of the first magnit in the brest of the Lyon called Cor Leonis directly vnder it and the bright Starre of Hydra of the 2 magnitude not much past and by the 16 Cap. learne their meridian altitude which for Cor Leonis you shall by the 16 Cap. finde 52 degrees and for lucida hidri 33 degrees which had go foorth with an Astrolabe or Quadrant with his fightes set to that altitude directly towards the South and you shall wellneere finde your Starres desired euen with your sight holes and you be not too long about it Also at any time you may lay the noone-line to any Starre admit Arcturus you desire to know and then labell to any houre of the night proposed admit 10 of clocke then marke what degree of the clipticke the labell there cutteth you shall finde 1 degr 30 min. in ♊ and seeke by the 5 Cap. what moneth and day thereof that the Sunne commeth to that degree you shall finde on the 12 day of May anno 1598 for on that day be sure to finde that Starre in the South at 10 of clock at night where you may make triall of his Meridian altitude as before And hauing thus or any other way attained the perfect knowledge of some fewe you shall easily by them descrye the rest by their scituation vnto them and imagined distaunces to others some being in streight lines from two other some making a triangular some a quadrangular forme of sundry shapes And this shall suffice an ingenious conceit in a fewe nightes to learne to know most of the constellacions and their Starres who shall the whiles finde the time spent in heauenly pleasure and delightes Cap. 26. ¶ Of the 4 Cardines and the sundry rising and setting of the fixed Starres with the Planets THE Meridian and Horizon of euery place do alwayes crosse each other in halfe on the North and South points of the same Horizon which crossing maketh of those two circles 4 semicircles which are called the 4 Cardines Vnto either of which when any Planet commeth especially if he be accompanyed or strongly aspected with some other forcible Planet Starre or constellacion he worketh speciall effects whether it be in natiuities or other causes especially at any such time looke assuredly for some present alteracion of the weather in that Horizon because there they do strongly affect and aspect the ascendent Horizon and Climat either by coniunction opposition or quartile which are the strongest the other as the △ and ⚹ are counted of lesse force And whosoeuer will take vpon him to iudge of Aspects or Eclipses if he haue not an eye whether they aspect the Climat or to iudge of the weather and not specially regard the effects of the fixed Starres with the Planets shall finde it to prooue but lost labour and happily be counted a common lyar as some of our vnskilfull Prognosticators are and the rest little better thought of because of their negligence or ignorance But to come to my purpose againe you shall vnderstand that when any Starre riseth together with any Planet on the Horizon if with the ☉ then is it called the Cosmicall rising and if setting at Sunne rising the Cosmicall setting if rising the Sunne setting the Acronicall rising if setting with the ☉ the Acronicall setting The Cosmicall rising is easily knowne by applying the Almicantifer prepared to the Horizon vnto any Planet in the East Hemicicle there hold fast the Zenitfer and play about the Almicantifer and looke what Starres the pointer toucheth on in the East Hemicicle be sure those do rise at the same time Cosmically with that Planet and those he toucheth on in the West Hemicicle do then Cosmically set with the same Planet then rising Likewise if you put ouer the Almicantifer so prepared causing the Planet to lye in the East Hemicicle applying the pointer thereto and there holding fast the Zenitfer do leade the Almicantifer about then be sure that such Starres as the pointer lighteth on in the East Hemicicle shall rise acronically with that Planet setting and those in the West Hemicicle shall set acronically together with the Planet setting and what time of the yeare any of these shall happen is easily conceiued by that hath been said in the last Cap. and elsewhere For vnto the Starre proposed if you apply the pointer prepared to the Horizon there holding the Zenithfer do remooue the Almicantifer till the pointer touch or cut the Clipticke either in the East or West Hemicicle Then by the Ephemer or my Vranicum you may easily know when what day any Planet shal come vnto those points of the-cliptick so cut and the degree of the ☉ for that day also labelled sheweth there in the houre-circle the houre of the day the Zenitfer being neuer stirred all the while when any such rising or setting shall happen For example this yeare 1596 some 5 or 6 dayes together before the end of September after long sitting all day writing this present booke I was in the euenings hindred of my recreating walks by sodaine rising of the winde with showres of raine though the dayes were reasonable faire I therefore sought this my new Astrolabe and found the Pleiades or 7 Starres to rise in the euenings cosmically with Iupiter being retrograde all the while ♀ also being then retrograde for retrogradacion causeth rayne especially in ☿
seu fixarum The gate whereof how much it is in one day in one yeare in 4 in 20 in an 100 and in a 1000 yeares is set downe in the first columne of the Tabula Radicalis in the left corner of the Celestiall Wherefore if you would knowe where the equall place of any Starre admit of Arcturus shall be any time to come admit for the yeare after Christ 2000 compleate take 1650 for that all the North Starres are in this Celestiall placed and rectifyed for that yeare out of the yeare proposed and by that first columne gather the equall motion aunswerable to that remayne vz. 1650 taken out of 2000 leaueth 350 for which 350 yeares I take in the said columne the motion of one 100 yeares three times and of 20 yeares twise and of 4 yeares twise and of one yeare twise for that three times 100 and twise 20 and twise 4 and twise one do make 350 and of that collection there amounteth 4 deg 53 min. almost And so much can I say that those North Starres will then be gone forwards from their places where now in the Celestiall they are set in regard of their equall motion But now there is found out by skilfull artes-men a certaine librament or ballaicing of the Equinoctiall and the Poles of the world as the studyed in the Theoricks well knowe which at one time helpeth forwards this equall motion and at another time pulleth it backe againe euen vnto 71 min. or 1 degr 11 min. all is one making by that meanes the true motion vnequall Therefore I haue within the Radicall table placed an instrument of my deuise to equate the same which consisteth as the Radicall table doth of two partes the one for the ablatiue Aequations the other for the Adiectiue each part hauing two limbes ioyning together the outermost carrying the sayd 71 minutes two wayes for the ballaicing too and fro the innermost being double in which are written the yeares from Christes birth for 3440 yeares after numbered from the ✿ twise about for that in so many yeares the Anomalye of this ballaicings compleateth twise therefore that inner limbe is double Wherefore if now you would knowe this Aequacion for any yeare admit the yeare 2000 seeke the same yeare 2000 in that double limbe you shall finde in the outer limbe the minutes of equation that answere thereunto vz. almost 70 min. ablatiue to be added or subducted too or from the equall motion before gotten according as the words Adiectiuae or Ablatiuae do admonish vz. whereas the equall motion of the fixed Starres was before found for the yeare after Christ 2000 compleate to be gone forwards 4 deg 53 mi. you must now pull out 70 minutes so will there be left 3 deg 43 min. their true motion in that 530 yeares according to which the true place of Arcturus which for the yeare 1650 is placed in this Celestiall 18 degr 55 min. in ♎ shall then be 22 degr 38 min in ♎ And so for any other North Starre for they all remooue alike And likewise for any of the South Starres but that you must for them worke vpon the yeare 1570 as before you did by 1650. Also for any age past as if it had beene for 350 yeares before 1650. vz. the yeare after Christ 1300 compleate you should haue found the Equation as much adiectiue and by that meanes the true motion of 350 yeares backwards 6 degr 3 min. to be pulled backe from their now place so that Arcturus was then but 12 degrees 52 min. in ♎ Cap. 31. ¶ How by help of this Astrolabe to get the longitude and latitude of any Planet yea or of any Starre or Comet seene HAuing a Meridian exactly set as in the 9 Cap. is taught you shall obserue the comming of any Planet Starre or Comet to the Meridian either in the South or North partes as for example the 2 of October 1596 I obserued the comming of ♃ to our Meridian heere at Reading and there take his meridian altitude which I found 50 ½ deg as is taught in the 11 Cap. and presently except you haue some clocke or watch truly set get the houre and minute if you can by taking the altitude of some knowne Starre as in the 13 Cap. is taught I found it a quarter of an houre past one and better after midnight which done seeke that houre and minute in the houre circle and labell it to the ☉ planted by the 4 Cap. at 20 de 10 min. of ♎ there hold fast the Zenitfer number the verticall distance or complement of the Merid. alti before-taken vz. 39 ½ de on the nooneline frō the Zenith point towards Meridies if your Merid. alti taken were South or towards Media nox if North which heere being South will fall out at the 12 ¼ radiall degree numbered from the Aequinoctiall where make a pricke on the Celestiall for there shall be the true point or place of the ♃ Starre Planet or Comet obserued for that instant and the circles of the-clipticks longitude and latitude cutting that point shall shew you his longitude and latitude sought vz. the circle of longitude passing by that verticall distance or pricke made shewed me in the clipticke 8 degrees 30 minutes almost of ♉ the longitude of ♃ and the circle of latitude cutting that pricke shewed me almost 2 degrees Southwards from the-clipticke his latitude And this serueth for the ☽ or any Planet Starre or Comet seene And now by helpe of this latitude thus gotten you may as easily get the true places of the Starres seene in any other place as well as in the Meridian perpetually for that their latitudes neuer alter and of ♄ ♃ or ♂ 20 or 30 dayes after for that theirs altereth little in that time and of ♀ for a day or two after but not for the ☽ because her latitude changeth swiftly neither for ☿ because in our Clymat we neuer see him In this maner Take the altitude of any Starre Planet or Comet whose latitude is foreknowne either by this Cap. or otherwise at any houre and minute knowne taking good heede whether he be in the East or West Hemispheare Then prepare the Zenitfer to that altitude taken then labell the houre and minute to the ☉ and there hold fast the Zenitfer Which done apply the pointer to the circle of latitude of the Starre or Planet either in the East or West Hemicicle according as the Starre or Planet was at taking his altitude so shall the circle of longitude passing by the pointer so applyed shew the longitude of the Starre or Planet in the-clipticke Note that Io. Stophlerus lib. 2. prop. 38. reciteth 7 propositions which some lying Astronomers as he tearmeth them haue taken vpon them to teach on the Astrolabe which he there condemneth to be most false and not possible and therefore spendeth a Chapter to forewarne euery man to take heede and not to meddle with them And these
are the 7 the first to knowe the longitude of the ☽ the second the longitude of ♄ ♃ ♂ ♀ or ☿ the third to get their latitudes the fourth to know whether a Planet be direct or retrograde the fift to know the longitude of any Starre in the Reete the sixt the latitude of fixed Starres the seuenth the longitude of Starres not in the Reete And now I am to rewarne all men that they are all possible by this Astrolabe and by my Iewell also and the whole 7 sauing the 4 are performed by this one Chapter because I would not haue them now daunted with that 38 propos of Stophler who meant it no doubt only by that Astrolabe whereof himselfe wrote Cap. 32. ¶ A ready way by helpe of this Astrolabe heereafter to obserue the motions of Comets BEcause I haue seene some 4 or fiue yeares past a booke entituled Noua theoria Cometarum as I remember set foorth by one Reslyn who taking occasion vppon that great Comet or Blazing-Starre which Anno 1570 was seene so long in the Constellation of Cassiopeia in a manner fixed without motion to imagining therefore that Comet to happen in the very Pole of the Theoricke and that to be the cause why he mooued not thereupon runneth on a course with recitall of diuers Comets and their motions but concluded no certaintie to my remembrance ending his booke with this saying Est quodam prodire tenus si non datur vltra But our late learned countreyman Mayster Digges in his Scala Mathematica found because he had no Parallax that he must needes be beyond the Speere of the ☽ Well no doubt there can not any weighty thing come to perfection at the first second or third assay and therefore to the end it may be a generall care to obserue the motions of Comets when they happen I haue thought good to aduertise euery man in this Cap. that either on this Astrolabe or on the Globe it is a most easy matter when any Planet appeareth to pricke downe his place euen by the very view of his scituation among the fixed Starres seeing by the 25 Cap. before you may so easily learne to know them all As for example in Iuly this yeare 1596 there appeared a Comet with a streaming tayle vpwards in the North-west which vpon Tewsday the 20 of Iuly aforesayd about 9 of the clocke at night I first tooke heede of betweene the two hinder legs of Vrsa maior almost in a streight line but somewhat lower and two parts of the way between the Starre of the fourth light in the neere hocke of the neere hinder legge and the two Starres of the third light in the further foote behinde according whereunto I made a pricke in the Celestiall of this Astrolabe The 21 of Iuly the same houre I sawe him directly in the streight line aforesayde and distant from the sayd two Starres twise their distance The 22 day the same houre I sawe him a little aboue the streight line and but their distance off The 23 of Iuly the night was darke The 24 of Iuly I sawe him aboue those two Starres of the third light and to make an equilater triangle with them all which I noted downe euery night with pricks then followed a fewe clowdy and darke nights and after that 24 day he was no more seene This Comet was seene of many others some fortnight before I sawe him as neere as I could gesse by their relacion euen about the brisket of Vrsa maior a little behinde the hocke of the neere legge afore which also I pricked downe and haue caused those pricks and the trayle of his gate to be grauen in the Celestiall in the Constellacion of Vrsa maior if you marke it though not done fully to my purpose to the end to incite others heereafter to do the like that posterity at the last may finde out whether there be any regularity in their motions If the Comet chaunce to come to the Meridian either in the North or South as this did not in sight then by the last Cap. you may get his longitude latitude euery night and so pricke downe euery dayes motion the more exactly FINIS