England’s Oldest Dated Scientific Instrument?

[NomoneyNohoney]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-ne ... QxNDk2NwS2

The 712-year-old artifact is a horary quadrant, a medieval tool used to tell time based on the position of the sun...

[doolally]

I bet Jacob Rees-Mogg has one instead of a wristwatch
doolally

[XFool]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/englands-oldest-known-scientific-instrument-is-for-sale-180983425/?spMailingID=49185604&spUserID=ODgwMDYzODIzMTUyS0&spJobID=2601414967&spReportId=MjYwMTQxNDk2NwS2

The 712-year-old artifact is a horary quadrant, a medieval tool used to tell time based on the position of the sun...

Lots of historical and financial information. But, none on what I always want to know with these things is: "How does it work?"

[DrFfybes]

Stonehenge?

[Urbandreamer]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/englands-oldest-known-scientific-instrument-is-for-sale-180983425/?spMailingID=49185604&spUserID=ODgwMDYzODIzMTUyS0&spJobID=2601414967&spReportId=MjYwMTQxNDk2NwS2

The 712-year-old artifact is a horary quadrant, a medieval tool used to tell time based on the position of the sun...

Lots of historical and financial information. But, none on what I always want to know with these things is: "How does it work?"

Well...

Octant, quadrant, sextant they are all basically the same, just with different ranges. You use them for measuring the angle of the sun. This can be used in a fixed location to derive time and date (horary). Or if time and date are known to derive the latitude. You need a bigger one for location, hence you can tell the difference.

Here, also from the Smithsonian, is a picture of how you use them. Crown is obligatory.
https://timeandnavigation.si.edu/multim ... y-quadrant

Ps, don't try this at home. Modern sextants have filters to prevent you going blind.