Prior to the Middle Ages, scientific progress in the world was quite significant. As far as it was available to the ancient people, they sought to know the world, and only the fall of the Roman Empire put an end to this, plunging mankind into centuries of ignorance. One of the unique devices inherently was the armillary sphere. She was able to accurately show the movement of celestial bodies. Even then, there was no doubt that the Earth was round, although in the future most of the knowledge was lost.
Official value
Translated from Latin, armilla means “ring” or “bracelet”. This name was due to the design features of the armillary sphere. The very first models, theoretically invented by the ancient Greek geometr Eratosthenes in the 3rd century BC, were designed to determine the coordinates of celestial bodies. Later versions were used as a teaching tool to visualize the positions of celestial bodies. With the help of this device it was possible:
- Determine horizontal, ecliptic and equatorial coordinates.
- Calculate the frequency of lunar eclipses and determine the motion of our satellite.
- Calculate the movement of the planets of the solar system and our star.
- Demonstrate the features of the movement of the moon and the sun at different latitudes.
- Show the movement of the constellations and determine where their sunset or sunrise will be.
In fact, for that time it was a unique device that had no analogues. Even now, it has not lost its relevance, despite the presence of a huge number of modern devices that can show all the same much more clearly and more accurately. True, it is used mainly as a museum exhibit, decor item or symbol.
Design
The armillary sphere includes several parts. It is based on a moving element, designed to depict the celestial sphere and its main circles. Around it are special rotating stands that display the meridian and the circle of the horizon. The common sphere is formed with the help of three circles, as well as with the celestial poles.
There is another big circle, which is made in the form of a fairly wide ring. It is intended to depict the ecliptic and the zodiac signs applied to it. Among other things, two more small circles are also used, showing the southern and northern tropics. To understand all this is quite difficult, but since there are no other options to implement something similar, the armillary sphere, the photo of which is presented below, was used until the 20th century AD. Only then did more accurate instruments appear capable of showing all the same, but better and more clearly. Thus, this device has served a person more than 2 thousand years.
Dwemer Armillary Orb
The creators of Skyrim took this device as a model and based on it developed a unique and very difficult task, which causes difficulties for a huge number of gamers. Since it is very difficult to set up a Dwemer armillary sphere, we will tell you the basic secrets of the quest.
As part of the passage of the game, the user will need to place the crystal in this device in a certain way, otherwise the synod mage will not give further instructions. The first thing you need to look around. On the table will be two books that allow you to study the spells "Flame" and "Frostbite." They are critical for setting up a sphere, and if you have finished these volumes somewhere, you will have to look for an opportunity to learn magic yourself. However, by this moment, most players already know such spells.
They must be applied to the armillary sphere, as a result of which the beam will rise or fall. Each spell may need to be used multiple times. The main task is to make sure that all the rays point to the rings with lenses located in the upper part of the room.
But that is not all. Once this task is completed, it is necessary to rotate the rings, ensuring that each of the rays passes strictly through a specific lens. This is done using the buttons on the top of the stairs. It should be borne in mind that if the beam is already set correctly, then the key will no longer be accessible, which somewhat facilitates the task.
Problem solving
As part of the assignment, the following difficulties may arise:
- Outside is night. This game involves changing the time of day, and it is natural that there will be no sunlight. We'll have to wait until morning.
- Incorrect adjustment of the rays. It may seem that they are set correctly, but when the rings move, it turns out that streams of light pass by. In such a situation, you still have to manipulate with the help of spells.
As soon as the full setup is completed and all the rays are exactly where they should, a map of the continent will be formed on one of the walls, thanks to which Parat will give further instructions. If you do everything carefully and accurately, then in fact there is nothing too complicated here, however, most players do not read descriptions and explanations, as a result of which sometimes they end up in similar situations. This is Skyrim, and the Dwemer armillary sphere is an example of this. By studying the tasks in detail, similar situations can be avoided.
Interesting Facts
The armillary sphere is in itself a unique and extremely interesting device. Unfortunately, the history of its appearance and many other features related to it are still unknown. One can only guess how the scientists of antiquity, not having the capabilities that we have now, were able to calculate all the parameters and create such a device.
In the modern world, the armillary sphere has remained only as a symbol. It is she who is the main element of the coat of arms of Portugal. In addition, the armillary sphere is a symbol of St. Petersburg. Located at the very top of the Kunstkamera tower.
Summary
In antiquity there were many very interesting devices that are difficult to even imagine for modern residents. And they are all true enough, at least from the point of view of our science. It turns out that a long time ago, humanity has already developed quite significantly, and if it were not for the harsh times of the Middle Ages, it is quite possible that modern technology would have advanced much further than it is now.