THE SMALL QUADRANT

OF GILDED BRASS.

This heading introduces one of the portable precision instruments designed by Tycho Brahe. While many of his instruments were massive and fixed in masonry to ensure stability, this "Small Quadrant" was crafted for flexibility and ease of use without sacrificing accuracy.

QuadrantAn astronomical instrument used to measure the altitudes of celestial bodies, consisting of a graduated arc of 90 degrees (a quarter-circle) and a sighting mechanism.

OrichalcumA golden-colored alloy, typically brass, which was highly valued in the Renaissance for the construction of scientific instruments due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.

original: "Quadrans Minor Orichalcicus Inauratus" — Small Gilded Brass Quadrant. The term "inauratus" indicates that the brass was gilded, or plated in gold, both for aesthetic beauty and to protect the metal from the elements during observations.

original: "EXPLI", likely an abbreviation for "Explicatio" or "Explanation," indicating that the following page provides the detailed technical breakdown and instructions for using the instrument.