JOURNAL ARTICLE

Tycho Brahe's Quadrans Muralis – A detailed review.

  • Published In: Journal for the History of Astronomy, 2025, v. 56, n. 1. P. 87 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Schou, Ole 3 of 3

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of Tycho Brahe's Quadrans Muralis, a mural quadrant permanently installed at his Uraniborg observatory from 1582 to 1595. The study details the instrument's construction, operational use, and limitations, noting its primary design for solar observations with a maximum measurable meridian altitude of about 67°. Analysis of 1,169 solar and 1,324 stellar meridian altitude determinations reveals a systemic error proportional to altitude and a normally distributed random error, with precision around 25 arcseconds for single measurements. The findings clarify previously noted seasonal variations in observational errors as altitude-dependent rather than temperature-related, underscoring the Quadrans Muralis's high accuracy and precision within the context of 16th-century astronomy.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal for the History of Astronomy. 2025/02, Vol. 56, Issue 1, p87
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0021-8286
  • DOI:10.1177/00218286241264261
  • Accession Number:182634182
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