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
