A Hindu temple, or mandir or koil in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion. The symbolism and structure of a Hindu temple are rooted in Vedic traditions, deploying circles and squares. It also represents recursion and the representation of the equivalence of the macrocosm and the microcosm by astronomical numbers, and by "specific alignments related to the geography of the place and the presumed linkages of the deity and the patron". A temple incorporates all elements of the Hindu cosmos — presenting the good, the evil and the human, as well as the elements of the Hindu sense of cyclic time and the essence of life — symbolically presenting dharma, artha, kama, moksa, and karma

Hindu temple

Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. It was built in the 15th century by the Inca empire and later abandoned. It is renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar.  Many intriguing buildings of archaeology are on astronomical alignments and yield stunning panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery.  -Nate Loper

Machu Picchu - Peru, Andes Mountains

ID no.: ZKWawel Lap. 185

Museum: Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection

http://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/obiekty/-/a/4869610/4890217

Digitalisation: RDW MIC, Małopolska’s Virtual Museums Plus project

Astronomical monstrance clock

Astronomical quintant

Joseph von Utzschneider – artist / maker
Joseph Liebherr – artist / maker

1st half of the 19th century, Munich, Germany
Jagiellonian University Museum, Collegium Maius

This item is an observational astronomical instrument used to determine the altitude of celestial bodies above the horizon. It consists of a frame restricted by two radiuses and an arc with a scale, an observation telescope, and a mirror system. The arc of the quintant is the fifth part of a circle, hence its name, analogous to quadrants, sextants, and octants (based on the fourth, sixth, and eighth parts of a circle, respectively).

For more images and further information, visit: https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/2779

Inventory number: 4103; 103/V

Localisation of the physical object: Archaeological Museum in Kraków

Digitalisation: Regional Digitalisation Lab, Małopolska Institute of Culture in Kraków, Poland; “Virtual Museums of Małopolska” Project

Astronomical quintant

Full name: **Armillary sphere by Franciszek Słupski (1771)**

An armillary sphere is an astronomical instrument, a model of the celestial sphere. It was used to demonstrate celestial phenomena and determine the time and equatorial and ecliptic coordinates. The armillary sphere enabled simulation of astronomical phenomena, including the movement of planets in relation to the Sun. It was made by Franciszek Słupski as part of his doctoral thesis defended at the Philosophy Department of the University of Kraków.

**For more images and further information, visit:** https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/2792 

Inventory number: 4307; 307/V

Localisation of the physical object: Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius, Kraków, Poland

**Digitalisation: Regional Digitalisation Lab, Małopolska Institute of Culture in Kraków, Poland; “Virtual Museums of Małopolska” project**

Armillary sphere (1771)

**Full name: Armillary sphere by Josef Jüttner (1828)**

An armillary sphere is an astronomical instrument containing a model of the celestial sphere and the Solar System. The sphere rests on three carved metal legs. The whole is set on a wooden stepped pedestal. 

This astronomical instrument presents the solar system according to the state of knowledge in 1828, i.e. without Neptune, which was discovered in 1846. 
Created in 1828 by Josef Jüttner (1775–1848), a Czech cartographer, constructor of globes and armillary spheres active in Prague and Vienna.

**For more images and further information, visit:** https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/2791 

Inventory number:  4306; 306/V

Localisation of the physical object: Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius, Kraków, Poland

**Digitalisation: Regional Digitalisation Lab, Małopolska Institute of Culture in Kraków, Poland; “Virtual Museums of Małopolska” project**

Armillary sphere (1828)

An astrolabe is an astronomical instrument enabling the user to identify stars and planets and their positions as well as being an aid to navigation.

I have based this model on an instrument in the collection of the British Museum (1909,0617.1) dating back to 1326  - click this link for more information https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1909-0617-1

To learn more about the use of these instruments click this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe

I have used images for reference that are copyright of the Trustees of the British Museum and they are for non commerial use only - so I have made this model 'non-commercial use'

I made the model in Zbrush and created a set of alphas in Procreate on the ipad closely following the markings on the original instrument.  I used these in Substance Painter to create the etched details.  This model is not really for 3d printing - the markings will not appear on the print.

Astrolabe - medieval - reconstruction

Full name: **Astronomical telescope with a Gregorian mirror system**

This type of telescope was first described in 1663 by James Gregory (1638-1675), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer, professor at the University of Edinburgh and St. Andrews University in Scotland. Inventor of the first reflecting telescope. He proposed a method of determining an astronomical unit based on observations of the transit of Venus in front of the disc of the Sun. 

This particular telescope was engineered by Jesse Ramsden (1735–1800), optician, maker of scientific instruments, mainly astronomical and navigational ones, Fellow of the Royal Society in London.

**For more images and further information, visit:** https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/2778

Inventory number: 4044; 42/V

Localisation of the physical object: Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius, Kraków, Poland

**Digitalisation: Regional Digitalisation Lab, Małopolska Institute of Culture in Kraków, Poland; “Virtual Museums of Małopolska” project**

Gregorian reflecting telescope (1700s)

**Pluto Dwarf Planet Model**

This 3D model of Pluto represents the distant dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, characterized by its icy surface, complex terrain, and unique coloration. The model features detailed surface variations inspired by real astronomical data, including smooth plains, darker equatorial regions, and subtle elevation changes. Designed with accurate spherical topology and optimized UV mapping, this asset is suitable for space visualizations, educational projects, cinematic scenes, and real-time environments.

Pluto: The New Dwarf: Silver Variant

**Pluto Dwarf Planet Model** 

This 3D model of Pluto represents the distant dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, characterized by its icy surface, complex terrain, and unique coloration. The model features detailed surface variations inspired by real astronomical data, including smooth plains, darker equatorial regions, and subtle elevation changes. Designed with accurate spherical topology and optimized UV mapping, this asset is suitable for space visualizations, educational projects, cinematic scenes, and real-time environments.

Pluto: The New Dwarf

**MyCn 18 (Hourglass Nebula) – Stylized Cosmic Phenomenon**

This model is inspired by MyCn 18, also known as the Hourglass Nebula—a young planetary nebula formed from the remnants of a dying star. The structure is shaped by powerful stellar winds and focused jets of gas, creating its iconic narrow waist and symmetrical, expanding lobes.

The design emphasizes the nebula’s dramatic geometry, radiant core, and layered plasma clouds, capturing both its scientific beauty and surreal, otherworldly appearance. The goal was to translate this real astronomical phenomenon into a visually striking and readable 3D form.

MyCn-18: Hour Glass Nebula

The Kh'ora system exists in one of the galaxy's most hostile astronomical configurations: a dying world caught in a decaying orbit between a black hole and multiple stellar bodies. The planet experiences extreme gravitational shear, time dilation effects that vary wildly across its surface, and catastrophic tidal forces that are slowly tearing it apart. Days can last hours or weeks depending on location due to relativistic effects. The sky is a nightmare of warped light, accretion disk radiation, and multiple suns creating unpredictable day-night cycles.
This doomed world is home to the galaxy's last population of ancient megafauna - massive, heavily-armored apex predators that evolverate, making them exponentially more dangerous.

This model was generated using Meshy, an AI-powered 3D creation toolkit. Meshy helps creators turn ideas into high-quality 3D models with ease. View the original model and claim a free month of Pro on Meshy: [https://www.meshy.ai/s/GbCiAw](https://www.meshy.ai/s/GbCiAw)

Gravemaw

This 3D model showcases Jantar Mantar, a historic astronomical observatory located in Jaipur, India. Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its massive architectural instruments designed for precise celestial observations.

The model highlights the geometric forms and unique structures of the observatory, including large sundials and angular measuring devices used to track time, study planetary movements, and observe stars with the naked eye.

Created with attention to detail, this model aims to capture both the scientific significance and architectural beauty of Jantar Mantar, allowing viewers to explore one of the most fascinating examples of early astronomical engineering.

Jantar_Mantar

This is an astronomical space observatory (more specifically, a take on the historic David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada). 🇨🇦

FYI: You can add text in Blender to that 3D black ledge above the doorway.

Feel free to use this asset for any of your projects (i.e., personal or commercial).

Low-Poly Space Observatory

This object is an astronomical map.
This object is part of the Edgard's Attic collection.

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