Muslim Innovations Innovations & Contributions Algebra Toothbrush Music/Lute/Rahab University Coffee Crank Hospitals/Advanced Surgery Astrolabe The Astrolabe What is it? Ancient Astronomical computer (highly developed around 800 C.E.) Used to relate time and position of the sun and stars in the sky Helped sailors navigate How was it used? Most common type was planispheric astrolabe Look through finder and object is projected onto the horizon Determined time of day, night, sunrise, and sunset Mariners Astrolabe later developed to mark degrees and nautical position How has it influenced today? Influenced and replaced by much better and more efficient equipment like Telescopes and Periscopes Allowed Europeans to cross the Atlantic to the Americas References -instrument-instrument