The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 36)
Activities of Muslim Scientists in Astronomy
Muslims have made significant progress in working with celestial calculation tables (Al-Ziaj) in astronomy, which is one of the fundamental needs for astronomical observations. Al-Ziaj is a mathematical and numerical table that determines the positions of the planets in their orbits, the rules for recognizing months, days, and past dates, as well as the planets’ altitude, descent, declination, and movements. These tables are set up with great precision based on mathematical and numerical rules. Among the most famous Al-Ziaj, we can mention the “Al-Ziaj of Ibn Yunus” (Ali ibn Abdulrahman ibn Yunus).
In addition, several Muslim scientists became renowned astronomers who were pioneers in this field and surpassed their contemporaries. One of these scientists was Al-Farghani, whose book on astronomy was used as a reference for 700 years in Europe and Western Asia.
Also notable is Al-Battani, the author of the famous Sabi Ziaj, who significantly influenced astronomy. He examined the positions of many stars, corrected some of the movements of the moon and planets, and disagreed with Ptolemy on the stability of the solar zenith. He also corrected the length of the solar year. His book was translated into Latin in the 12th century and was printed several times in Europe. This work is known as an astronomical encyclopedia. Al-Battani also authored other significant works on astronomy, such as Ma’refat Matal-el-Nojum and Ta’dil Al-Kawakeb.
Abu Al-Rahman Al-Sufi is recognized as the first person to compile accurate tables of fixed stars. He wrote a book called Al-Kawakeb Al-Thabetah, in which he detailed the positions of the fixed stars in 299 AH (911 AD). These tables remain important for modern research into the history and positions of some planets, charting more than 1,000 stars. Due to his scientific contributions, some of the centers on the moon’s surface bear his name.
Abu al-Wafa al-Buzjani made important contributions to astronomy, including the discovery known as the “velocity equation.” He also noted disturbances in the motion of the moon, which ultimately expanded knowledge in astronomy and mechanics. There have been historical debates regarding whether Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer, was the originator of these discoveries. After careful investigation, it was determined that the third discovery was indeed related to Abu al-Wafa al-Buzjani.
Abu Ishaq Al-Naqash Al-Zarqali was one of the most renowned scholars in astronomy and mathematics. He is well-known for his work on the “Taliqah Tables,” which are named after the city of Toledo in Andalusia. He prepared these tables based on the knowledge he obtained from earlier scientists, such as Ptolemy and Al-Khwarizmi, recording the results of his astronomical observations.
He also wrote a book titled Al-Sahifa, in which he described a new method for using the astrolabe. Additionally, he invented a new instrument called the Al-Sahifa or Al-Zarqali. This device, similar to the astrolabe, provided evidence that the motion of the apogee (without changes at large distances) of the fixed stars is equal to 12.05 minutes, while its actual value was 12.08 minutes.
Abu Al-Yasr Baha Al-Din Al-Kharkhi was one of the most notable figures working in astronomy, mathematics, and geography in the 5th century AH. His most important works in astronomy include Basrah and Muntahi Al-Idrak fi Taqsim Al-Aflak.
Badi’ Al-Astrolabi (d. 534 AH/1139 AD) was highly skilled in making astronomical instruments, and his works include the astronomical tables he created at the court of the Seljuk Sultan in Baghdad. These tables are recorded in a book called Al-Ziaj Al-Mahmoudi, named after Sultan Mahmoud ibn Muhammad.
Additionally, the treatises of Ibn Al-Shater (d. 777 AH/1375 AD), written in the field of astronomy, along with the instruments he crafted, were used for many centuries in both the East and the West. Among his significant works are Ziaj Ibn Al-Shater (explaining sunsets and using the obverse quadrant), A Treatise on the Astrolabe, Abridged on Working with the Astrolabe, A General Benefit on Working with the Complete Quadrant, Nuzhat Al-Sami’ on Working with the Complete Quadrant, Kifayah al-Qun’ah on Working with the Cut Quadrant, and Ziaj Al-Jadid. This Ziaj was compiled at the request of Murad I, the Ottoman Caliph. Ibn Al-Shater proposed models, theories, and measurements that went unaddressed before him; these theories somewhat later appeared under the name of Copernicus.
In 1970, David King discovered that many of the theories attributed to Polish astronomer Copernicus were, in fact, from Ibn Al-Shater. Three years later, Arabic manuscripts were found in Poland, indicating that Copernicus had access to these manuscripts.
“Ulugh Beg” was also a prominent scholar who supported scientists and constructed the largest observatory of his time in Samarkand. A Muslim writer noted of him: “He was a just, skilled, and energetic scholar knowledgeable in astronomy, as well as careful in rhetoric. The status of scientists during his reign reached its peak. He interpreted precise problems in geometry and provided explanations of Ptolemy’s work in cosmology. No king in history has ascended the throne like him.” He recorded observations of the stars in collaboration with other scientists in Samarkand and established a university unmatched in beauty, location, and value among the seven neighboring regions.
During his time with his observation team, Ulugh Beg invented new instruments and continued his observations from 727 AH/1327 AD to 839 AH/1435 AD. He compiled a comprehensive Ziaj, called Ziaj Ulugh Beg or the Ziaj of Sultan, based on these observations, detailing the exact positions of stars, eclipses, the movements of the sun, moon, and planets, and the longitudes and latitudes of significant Islamic cities.
Shams Al-Din Al-Fasi (d. 1094 AH/1683 AD) was one of the later Muslim scholars who benefited from the achievements of earlier Muslim scholars in astronomy. He invented a spherical device that displayed time, with circles and patterns painted in white and linseed oil. Mounted on this device was another sphere, divided into two halves, featuring holes and grooves for the circles of the tower and other diagrams. This device was user-friendly and indicated time in various countries. He wrote a treatise on how to construct this device.
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