List of astronomical instruments

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 – Astronomical instrument used to measure movements or variations in the brightness of celestial objectsPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
* Bolometer – Device for measuring incident electromagnetic radiation
* Canterbury Astrolabe Quadrant – astrolabe in the British MuseumPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
* 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 – Automatic general-purpose device for performing arithmetic or logical operationsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* CMOS sensor – Image sensor, consisting of an integrated circuitPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* 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 – Measurement method using interference of wavesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* 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, GermanyPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* Nocturnal – instrument used to determine the local time based on the relative positions of two or more stars in the night skyPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
* 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 AstronomyPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* Starshade – Proposed occulterPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* Space telescope – Instrument in space to study astronomical objects
* Spectrometers – Used to measure spectral components of lightPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
* 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

## See also

[edit]

* Astronomy
* Outline of astronomy
* Surveying instrument
* Measurement instrument

Portals:

* Astronomy
* Stars
* Spaceflight
* Outer space
* Solar System