Old instruments
Astronomical Clock
Direct answer
Astronomical Clock is a clock constructed or configured to support astronomical timing and display.
Astronomical Clock is an observation-support clock used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related
- Chronometer, Marine Chronometer, Regulator Clock, Pendulum Clock
Astronomical Clock is an observation-support clock used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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The story behind Astronomical Clock
Astronomical clocks ranged from public display mechanisms to observatory standards paired with transit instruments.
A one-minute story
The Book of the Sky
How people learned to read the sky, from Babylon to the day you were born.
Why Astronomical Clock matters
Astronomical Clock matters because precise time tags turn a fleeting telescope crossing into a coordinate or reproducible observation.
Astronomical Clock in practice: an example
A sidereal observatory clock lets an observer compare a star transit directly with right ascension.
Where readings of Astronomical Clock go wrong
An ornate astronomical display is not necessarily a precision regulator, and displayed cycles may be approximate.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- Royal Museums Greenwich: A Unique History of Timekeeping - Museum overview of marine chronometers, astronomical regulators, and the development of precision timekeeping.
- Royal Museums Greenwich: Astronomical and Navigational Instruments - Museum reference collection for historical observing, calculating, timekeeping, and navigation instruments.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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Common questions
What is an astronomical clock?
Astronomical Clock is a clock constructed or configured to support astronomical timing and display.
What do people get wrong about an astronomical clock?
An ornate astronomical display is not necessarily a precision regulator, and displayed cycles may be approximate.
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