armillary sphere

Plural

armillary spheres

a model of the celestial sphere, historically used to depict and study the positions of celestial objects, consisting of a series of hoops representing important circles in the sky

The armillary sphere was used by astronomers in ancient Greece to demonstrate the motions of stars and planets.
During the Renaissance, armillary spheres became intricate works of art, crafted from brass and adorned with decorative features.
The armillary sphere in the museum's collection accurately depicts the positions of stars and constellations.
In historical texts, scholars often refer to the armillary sphere as a fundamental tool for celestial navigation.
Today, modern replicas of armillary spheres serve as educational tools in astronomy classrooms and planetariums.

Synonyms:

armilla