Astrolabes as Sources of Records of Eruptive Stars

Explore the fascinating intersection of historical astronomical instruments and stellar observations in this specialized talk examining how astrolabes serve as valuable records of eruptive stars. Discover the intricate workings of astrolabes, handheld devices that astronomers relied upon for over a millennium as both navigational tools and observational instruments, with detailed explanations of their components and rotatable star dials. Learn about the meticulous process and challenges involved in identifying stellar positions marked on these historical dials, which preserve records of star locations as observed by skilled astronomers during the instruments' creation periods. Examine specific case studies including the documentation of supernova SN1604 on astrolabe records and investigate evidence suggesting the presence of recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis in 16th and 17th-century astrolabe star dials. Gain insights into the contemporary significance of these historical records, particularly regarding T Coronae Borealis, whose next eruption is currently overdue and anticipated to occur imminently. Delve into the broader implications of using medieval astronomical instruments as primary sources for understanding historical stellar phenomena and their relevance to modern astronomical research.