The european age of exploration would not have been possible without the astrolabe and the compass, both of which were adapted
a) african kings.
b) muslim sailors.
c) british merchants.
d) byzantine scholars.

The correct answer is B. Both the astrolabe and the compass were adapted from Muslim sailors.

The astrolabe was used by navigators, astronomers and scientists in general to locate the stars and observe their movement, to determine the time from latitude or, vice versa, to find out the latitude by knowing the time. It also serves to measure distances by triangulation.

Muslim sailors often also used it to calculate the prayer time and locate the address of Mecca. During the XVI to XVIII centuries, it was used as the main instrument of maritime navigation, until the invention of the sextant, in 1750.

In the 8th century it was already widely known in the Islamic world. It arrived to Europe in the 12th century through Al-Andalus.

The compass is an orientation instrument that uses a magnetic needle to indicate the Earth's magnetic north. Its operation is based on terrestrial magnetism, so it points to the magnetic south that corresponds to the geographic north and is unproductive in the north and south polar zones due to the convergence of the force lines of the earth's magnetic field.

The compass was invented in China, and was brought to the Middle East by Muslim merchants through the Silk Road. In Europe, the compass is officially known since the Renaissance, allegedly taken there by the Muslim invaders of southern Spain.