The type of triangular device that aided European exploration of the "New World" in the 1500s and 1600s is known as the astrolabe. The astrolabe was an instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies, particularly the Sun and stars. It allowed European sailors and explorers to determine their latitude while at sea, which was crucial for navigation and mapping purposes. By knowing their position relative to the celestial bodies, they could effectively chart their course and explore unknown territories, including the Americas.
