Copernican and Ptolemaic Armillary Spheres

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Print, Armillary spheres
Sphere de Copernic and Sphere de Ptolemme

Object Details

Description

This engraving was probably created in France in the 18th century. The “SPHERE DE COPERNIC” on the left is a model of the solar system with the Sun in the middle and planetary orbits out to that of Saturn. Other circles represent the colures, the zodiac with the ecliptic, and the equator. The “SPHERE DE PTOLEMÉE” on the right is an armillary sphere with the Earth in the middle and bands for the several celestial circles. Both instruments have baroque stands.

Location

Currently not on view

ID Number

PH.319249

catalog number

319249

accession number

236083

Object Name

Physical Description

paper (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 12 1/2 in x 13 1/2 in; 31.75 cm x 34.29 cm

overall: 21 1/8 in x 23 1/8 in x 7/8 in; 53.6575 cm x 58.7375 cm x 2.2225 cm

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences

Science & Mathematics

Prints from the Physical Sciences Collection

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Subject

Astronomy

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-fa14-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1167714