Armillary sphere at the hospital

Off to the hospital this morning for an X-ray to see if any internal pipework is broken, or if extraneous objects that ought not to be inside are moving around. The Cancer and Haematology Centre at the Churchill Hospital is well known for the artwork that adorns it. An art programme, based on the theme of 'Landscape: bringing the outside in', has been specially developed as part of the new Cancer Centre. Some of the artworks have been commissioned as part of the fabric of the new building and designed to enhance entrance spaces. Others have been commissioned and purchased for courtyards, long corridors and all single rooms. The aim of the art programme has been to create a welcoming and inspiring space for all - to distract and engage patients and visitors and provide a positive and uplifting working environment for staff. This armillary sphere stands in the "American Garden" at the entrance to the centre. It is etched with American and British time by David Harber, and celebrates the American army's association with the hospital.

An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky (in the celestial sphere); it consists of a spherical framework of rings, centred on Earth, that represent lines of celestial longitude and latitude and other astronomically important features such as the ecliptic. As such, it differs from a celestial globe, which is a smooth sphere whose principal purpose is to map the constellations. Thus, an armillary is a kind of astrolabe, along the lines of the remarkable Antikythera mechanism (dating from the early 1st century BC), which I have been reading about in a book given to me by @ViolaMaths for Christmas. The mechanism s an ancient analog computer designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was recovered in 1900-1901 from the Antikythera wreck. Technological artifacts approaching its complexity and workmanship did not appear again until the 14th century AD, when mechanical astronomical clocks began to be built in Western Europe. This device is just extraordinary, the only thing of its kind. The design is beautiful, the astronomy is exactly right. The way the mechanics are designed are extraordinary.

I am happy that taking the photograph of the the armillary sphere has remided me of the Antikythera mechanism. However, I think that the sphere, made from gleaming stainless steel, is a thing of beauty in itself.