Replica of quadrant used by Tycho Brahe, 1560-1565

Copy of a brass and iron azimuth quadrant, which has by tradition has been associated with the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe. Made around 1560, it was first owned by Wilhem IV, Landgrave of Hesse, Germany. The original is now at the Royal Museum in Kassel (Staatliche Museen Kassel). Made by Elkington and Company after the original was displayed at the Special Loan Collection of Scientific Apparatus in the South Kensington Museum in 1876.

This astronomical instrument is an exact copy of an azimuth quadrant that by tradition has been associated with the famous Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe. Made around 1560, it was originally owned by the German aristocrat Wilhelm IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. The azimuth quadrant could be used to measure both the altitude and horizontal direction of celestial objects. The original resides and is currently on display at the Staatliche Museen Kassel, Germany. In 1876 it was put on show in London at the 'Special Loan Collection of Scientific Apparatus' display at the South Kensington Museum. After the exhibition and before the instrument was returned to Germany, it was copied by Elkington & company to make this replica.