The cosmolabe was an ancient

astronomical instrument Astronomical instruments include: *Alidade * Armillary sphere *Astrarium * Astrolabe *Astronomical clock *the Antikythera mechanism, an astronomical clock *Blink comparator *Bolometer *the Canterbury Astrolabe Quadrant * Celatone * Celestial spher ...

resembling the astrolabe, formerly used for measuring the angles between heavenly bodies. It is also called pantacosm.

Jacques Besson Jacques Besson (1540?–1573) was a French Protestant inventor, mathematician, and philosopher, chiefly remembered for his popular treatise on machines ''Theatrum Instrumentorum'' (1571–1572), which saw many reprints in different languages. Li ...

also uses this name, or universal instrument, for his invention described in ''Le cosmolabe'' (1567), which could be used for astrometry,

cartography Cartography (; from grc, χάρτης , "papyrus, sheet of paper, map"; and , "write") is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an i ...

navigation Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...

, and surveying.

Notes

References

* * Astronomical instruments Astrometry Astrological aspects History of astrology {{Astronomy-stub