altazimutti

Altazimutti is a term often found in historical astronomical texts and celestial globes, referring to a specific type of sundial or astronomical instrument. It combines the Italian words "alto" meaning high and "azimut" meaning azimuth, suggesting a device that measures both altitude and azimuth. While not a precisely defined modern instrument, the concept of an altazimutti implies a tool capable of indicating the position of celestial bodies in the sky by their angular height above the horizon (altitude) and their horizontal direction (azimuth).

Historically, instruments that served this purpose were often complex. They might have incorporated features of astrolabes, armillary spheres, or sextants, adapted to measure these two fundamental coordinates of a celestial object. The precise construction of an altazimutti would vary depending on the period and the craftsman. Early examples might have been fixed installations, while later versions could have been portable.

The purpose of an altazimutti was typically for observation, navigation, or timekeeping. By tracking the sun or stars, users could determine their position, predict their movements, and calculate the time of day or year. The term itself is less common in contemporary astronomy, replaced by more specialized and accurate instruments like the theodolite or modern digital astronomical tracking systems. However, understanding the concept of altazimutti provides insight into the historical development of observational astronomy and the tools used by early astronomers and navigators.