NAVINA HAIDAR: We’re looking at the metal object that’s shaped mostly like a circle - with a pointed arch shape, and a loop, at the top. On the front of it is a dial with very complicated markings. Do you see all the thin dark markings, even around the edge? This is a scientific instrument for studying stars and planets – but it’s decorated as an object of art, as well! It’s called an astrolabe. To use it, you’d hold the astrolabe up with the thumb of one hand with the loop at the top, and look through a tube on the back of it – gazing at a particular star. Then you’d move the dials on the front to figure out the location of other stars and planets on that day. Astrolabes were really important tools for medieval astronomers. Astronomy was an advanced science in the Islamic world in general. In the Islamic world astrolabes also helped people figure out the correct times and direction to face for their daily prayers.