Armillary Sphere

This fine 72-inch armillary sphere has one large vertical ring representing the meridian of Houston. Attached to the inside of this ring is a wide band dedicated with the signs of the zodiac and representing the celestial equator. Slanting up through the middle is a rod with a ball at its upper end representing the Earth's axis. The Armillary Sphere is so designed that this central rod points toward the north pole of the heavens, very close to the North Star.

The Houston Armillary Sphere was donated to the City of Houston by Elizabeth Bracewell, who was President of the Houston Heritage Society from 1969 to 1971.

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