Cartographica Helvetica

Summary

Jost Schmid:

New information on the function of the terrestrial and celestial globe in St. Gall (1571/84)

Cartographica Helvetica 41 (2010) 19–24

Summary:

The terrestrial and celestial globe in St. Gall is not merely an elaborate showpiece, but also a demonstrative model of the earth in its firmament. The globe was used for determining orientations and for simulations of astronomic occurrences until the mechanisms for turning and tilting broke down. The new replica built in 2009, on the other hand, is fully functional. The geographic discoveries since the 16th century and the Gregorian Reform of the calendar, however, have to be taken into account. The latter helps to define the period in which the original must have been finished, i.e. between 1571 and 1584.