Astronomical Compendia

An astronomical compendium (plural = compendia) is an instrument that carry numerous devices for telling the time and performing astronomical calculations. Many compendia were made in the German lands in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. They are often beautifully engraved in gilt brass. Typically such compendia carry a sundial, various lunar and solar volvelles, a compass, tables of latitude, and a perpetual calendar.

Ordering images

Please contact the museum by email (hps-whipple-museum@lists.cam.ac.uk) with details of your image requirements.

Based on the information you give us, we will search for existing photographs or assess whether new photography is required. We will then cost the job and send you a quote by email. If you wish to proceed, we will send an invoice and an image use licence for you to complete and return, with the appropriate payment.

The licence indicates that you agree to our terms and conditions for either: (i) use of images or (ii) reproduction of images, depending on your requirements.

Payment methods

We can accept payment by BACS and cheque in pounds sterling, euros or US dollars at the current exchange rate (use an online currency converter such as the xe.com Personal Currency Assistant).

All cheques must be made out to UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

Unfortunately we cannot accept payment by credit card

We will endeavour to complete orders as quickly as possible, but please allow up to three weeks to process your order. The Museum has a small number of staff and orders can accumulate during busy periods, particularly if new photography is required.

The image licence must be signed and returned and the fee paid in full before any images can be dispatched.

New photography

Not all objects have high quality digital images available in stock. Any new photography required will be charged at £35 per hour of staff time required. Please contact us to get an estimated cost for your particular request.

Please note that all new photography is subject to it being possible to take the photograph requested. We will contact you in the unlikely event that we cannot carry out your request.

We are committed to making the Museum accessible to as many visitors as possible as part of the #MuseumAccessPledge.

Access Update: Lift Works 2026

The Museum's lift has served us well for over fifteen years and is now due for replacement. While exact dates are still to be confirmed, we anticipate there being no lift access from mid-January to early March 2026 as these important works are carried out. We very much appreciate your understanding during this period.

For further information or queries, please contact enquiries@whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk.

If you require any assistance, or have any special accessibility requirements, please contact us via email on enquiries@whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk or phone 01223 330906.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.

Complex construction

Two characteristics are typical of the construction of these instruments: first, they were often made as lavishly as possible; second, they are ingeniously constructed, with as many instruments as possible filling the available space.

Most of the instruments on a compendium are used to simplify astronomical calculations. Many compendia have volvelles - rotating discs that show the phases of the Moon, the positions of planets, and other such phenomena.

Wealth and status

Almost all compendia have at least one form of sundial. These are often adjustable for use in different places, and are accompanied by lists of the latitudes of major cities around the world. Sometimes these lists are obviously functional, including various towns and major ports, but often they are more fanciful, including places such as Babylon, Alexandria, Moscow, Cuba, Constantinople, and Nineveh (an important ancient city in Assyria). Like the gilt decoration and detailed engraving, these were intended to show the wealth and status of the instrument's owner.

Some compendia also carry stereographic projections. These are multi-purpose maps of the heavens, allowing many astronomical calculations to be simplified. Using these, people could determine the time of sunrise and sunset, and the position of the Sun in its annual (apparent) motion through the sky.

Read more: stereographic projections of the heavens