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Astronomical Images : Using the shadow square on an astrolabe to measure the height of a tower

Johann Stoeffler

Astronomical Images

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Johann Stoeffler was Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tuebingen. He was one of a generation of astronomers who took Regiomontanus as the model of the quintessential Renaissance astronomer. Stoeffler followed Regiomontanus in adopting programmes of observation and in publishing tables, as well as by making instruments and publishing practical accounts of them. Also like Regiomontanus, he was interested in Ptolemy's <i>Geography</i> and lectured on it at Tuebingen. His treatment of the use of the shadow square on the astrolabe for surveying is further evidence of this interest. Here he shows how to use the instrument in order to measure the height of a tower from the length of its shadow.</p>

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