Nocturnal Star Clock on Stand - British Museum Replica - H85

Nocturnal Star Clock on Stand - British Museum Replica - H85

Nocturnal Star Clock (1570) - Historical Navigation Instrument

The Nocturnal is a detailed replica of a Renaissance navigation instrument from 1570. It was designed by the well-known London instrument maker Humphrey Cole. The original instrument is part of the collection of the British Museum in London.

The instrument is designed to determine the time at night by using the position of the stars. It can be used at different locations across the Northern Hemisphere. An engraved diagram on the back of the instrument helps with its use.

The product combines historical and educational value with the function of an old measuring instrument. It is an interesting gift for sailors, navigators and people interested in astronomy and the history of navigation.

Historical value: A detailed reconstruction of an instrument once used to tell the time at night, before mechanical clocks became widely available.

Materials and construction: The body is made of zinc alloy and brass and protected with a traditional lacquer finish. The instrument is placed on a stable natural wooden stand.

Gift-ready packaging: The product comes in a dedicated gift box with a fitted insert that protects the instrument and gives it an elegant presentation.

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Height: 13 cm
• Diameter: 5 cm
• Depth: 6 cm
• Weight: 80 g
• Materials: brass, zinc alloy, wood
• Instruction languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Packaging: gift box with a fitted insert

How does the Nocturnal work?

The Nocturnal uses the fixed position of the North Star (Polaris) in the night sky.

1. Look through the central sight and find the North Star.
2. Set the movable hour disc, marked from 1 to 12 and featuring a moon phase indicator, to the correct date on the outer disc.
3. Move the pointer towards the rear stars of the Big Dipper or towards Kochab in the Little Dipper. This allows you to read the current sidereal time.

Please note: Sidereal time is different from the standard time shown on modern clocks.

NOCTURNAL

The Nocturnal is a historical star clock that makes it possible to determine the time at night by observing the position of the stars.

The instrument has a fixed disc showing the months and days of the year, a movable disc with an hour scale from 1 to 12 and a moon indicator, as well as a long movable pointer.

A central sight is used to find the North Star (Polaris). It is a fixed point in the sky around which other stars and constellations appear to move. This makes it possible to use the position of other stars to determine the time.

This replica is based on an instrument from 1570 and is designed to work with the star Kochab in the Little Dipper. A simple method is to point the movable arm at the rear stars of the Big Dipper and set the movable disc to the current date. The instrument can then be used to read the current sidereal time.

The Nocturnal can be used throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Please remember that sidereal time does not have to match the standard time shown on a modern clock.