I’ve covered astrolabes in class previously when I’ve been asked to guest present in a History of Science course at my institution. The data they generated was also used extensively in medieval chronicles as writers computed important dates and crafted calendars. The examples shared here illustrate the diffusion of this tool in the Middle Ages, with the variety of languages and decorative motifs. You can imagine users showing them off and comparing them, and their being a status symbol would impel users to create better ones as important signifiers of knowledge and status.

As far as classes go, I love to share Chaucer’s Treatise on the Astrolabe with students – it’s a great accessible starting point – and Google has an app to put a digital version in students’ hands, which could be an engaging activity.