SkyEye

The Nilometer

Alexander Jamieson (1782–1850) was a Scottish writer, teacher, and actuary. In 1822 he published his Celestial Atlas Comprising A Systematic Display Of The Heavens In A Series Of Thirty Maps which was restricted to naked-eye stars and thus, was much less cluttered than other star atlases of the time. It contained three of his own creations, including Norma Nilotica. Two years later, the popular Urania's Mirror was produced. Based on Jamieson's designs, this set of star chart cards contained punched holes, enabling the user to hold them up to the light to see the pattern of the stars. Card #26 showed Aquarius holding a nilometer in his hand. A nilometer is a device for measuring the depth and clarity of the River Nile.