An instrument designed to measure altitude or elevation, combining high-altitude observation with telescopic viewing capabilities.
Compound word from Latin 'altus' (high) and '-scope' (from Greek 'skopein,' to view or observe). Created in the 19th century as scientific instruments for measuring heights became more sophisticated.
Before precise instruments like the altiscope existed, no one could accurately measure how high mountains really were—the invention of altitude-measuring devices completely changed how geographers and mountaineers understood the world's geography.
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