Final answer:
The astrolabe was a device used for navigation and surveying, but it was not a fixed surveying method linked to the stars. It was used for astronomical observations and calculations, as well as for determining latitude at sea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The astrolabe was a device used for navigation and surveying. It was developed in the late 1400s and was used to determine the angle of the sun, moon, and stars above the horizon, allowing calculations of time of day, sunrise, and sunset. However, the astrolabe was rendered inaccurate and inoperable on cloudy days and rough seas.
Although the astrolabe is often associated with navigation, it was not a fixed surveying method linked to the stars. It was an instrument used for astronomical observations and calculations, as well as for determining latitude at sea. Surveying tools such as the theodolite and cross-staff were more commonly used for fixed surveying purposes.
The astrolabe, developed further in the late 1400s, was used for astronomical measurements and navigation, but was not a fixed method as its accuracy could be affected by weather conditions.
The astrolabe is a historical navigational instrument that was used to make astronomical measurements, particularly the angles of the sun and stars above the horizon. Developed further in the late 1400s, it became an essential tool for mariners to determine their latitude and local time by observing celestial bodies. However, it was not a fixed surveying method; its accuracy could be compromised on cloudy days or in rough seas. The astrolabe facilitated both astronomical observations, which were crucial for navigation, and served for land surveying purposes. It was constructed primarily out of brass and sometimes utilized by Persian mystics for astrological predictions. Notably, it was not the only device used for celestial measurements—in navigation, a cross-staff, and later the sextant, were also pertinent tools.