List of astronomical instruments

An astronomical instrument is a device for observing, measuring, or recording astronomical data.^{[citation needed]} They are used in the scientific field of astronomy, a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos, with the object of explaining their origin and evolution over time. Many are also used in navigation and surveying.

Astronomical instruments include:

Alidade – Device that allows one to sight a distant object
Armillary sphere – Model of objects in the sky consisting of a framework of rings
Astrarium – Timepiece and astronomical prediction device
Astrolabe – Astronomical instrument
Astronomical clock – Clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information
Antikythera mechanism – Ancient analogue astronomical computer
Blink comparator – Instrument for comparing small differences between two photographs of the night sky.
Bolometer – Device for measuring incident electromagnetic radiation
Canterbury Astrolabe Quadrant – Medieval astrolabe found in England
Celatone – Navigational aid reliant on tracking Jupiter's moons in the sky
Celestial sphere – Imaginary sphere of arbitrarily large radius, concentric with the observer
Charge-coupled device – Device for the movement of electrical charge
Computers – Machine for processing data and performing calculations
CMOS sensor – Image sensor, consisting of an integrated circuit
Coronagraph – Telescopic attachment designed to block out the direct light from a star
Cosmolabe – Ancient astronomical instrument
Dioptra – Classical surveying instrument from the 3rd century BCE
Equatorial ring – Instrument to determine the moment of the equinoxes
Equatorium – Astronomical calculating instrument
Gnomon – Part of a sundial that casts a shadow
Inclinometer – Instrument used to measure the inclination of a surface relative to local gravity
Interferometer – Instrument which measures the interference of superimposed waves
Kamal – Celestial navigation device that determines latitude
Meridian circle – Astronomical instrument for timing of the passage of stars
Microchannel plate detector – Detection single parties and photons
Mural instrument – Type of angle measuring device
Nebra sky disk – Bronze artefact, c. 1600 BC, found in Nebra, Germany
Nocturnal – Instrument to determine local time using relative positions of two or more stars in the night sky
Octant – Measuring instrument used primarily in navigation; type of reflecting instrument
Optical spectrometer, also known as Spectrograph – Instrument to measure the properties of visible light
Orrery – Mechanical model of the Solar System
Photographic plate – Target medium in photography
Photometer – Instrument to measure light intensity
Planisphere – Class of star chart
Prague astronomical clock – Medieval astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall building in Prague, Czech Republic
Quadrant – Navigation instrument
Reticle – Aim markings in optical devices, e.g. crosshairs
Radio plate
Retroreflector – Device to reflect radiation back to its source
Scaphe – Sundial said to have been invented by Aristarchus
Sextant – Measuring instrument in Astronomy
Starshade – Proposed occulter
Space telescope – Instrument in space to study astronomical objects
Spectrometers – Used to measure spectral components of light
Sundial – Device that tells the time of day by the apparent position of the Sun in the sky
Transit instrument – Small telescope used for precise astrometry
Telescope – Instrument that makes distant objects appear magnified
Torquetum – Medieval astronomical instrument
Triquetrum – Ancient astronomical instrument
Zenith telescope – Type of telescope that points straight up

List of astronomical instruments

See also