An astrolabe imitates the motion of the heavens. Without stereographic projection the astrolabe is inconceivable. It is, however, the origin and development of the method of stereographic projection was unclear. The Planisphaerium by Claudius Ptolemy (85?-165) is the only Hellenistic work on stereographic projection that has come down to the present day. This paper will examine the following issues: Hipparchus of Nicaea (190B.C.-125B.C.) and the discovery of stereographic projection; Roman architect Vitruvius (died after 27 A. D.) and the anaphoric clock; Roman portable sundial and stereographic projection; Monophysitist Bishop Severus Sēbōkht (575?-666/667) and Hellenistic-Roman style astrolabe; Persian astronomer Li Su李素 (?-796), Arabic astronomer Ma Yize馬依澤 (910?-1005) and Islamic astrolabes; Islamic astronomical bureau at the Mongolian upper capital and an Islamic spherical astrolabe.