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Taqi al-Din Ibn Ma’ruf: A Bio-Bibliographical Essay |
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By: FSTC Limited, Thu 26 June, 2008 |
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This article is a bio-bibliographical essay on the life and works of Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Ma'ruf, a scholar of 16th-century Istanbul, one of the most prolific and original scientists of the Ottoman period of Islamic science. After a biographical sketch, a comprehensive compilation lists most of his writings from manuscript sources.
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The Instruments of Istanbul Observatory |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 08 June, 2008 |
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In this article, Professor Sevim Tekeli, an outstanding scholar in the history of Ottoman science, describes the instruments built by Taqî al-Dîn Ibn Ma'ruf and his team at the Istanbul observatory (was in activity between 1577 and 1580), and points out in particular the close resemblances between them and those used in Western Europe by Tycho Brahe, at the same time, in his observatory at Uraniborg Castle.
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The Observation Well |
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By: FSTC, Sat 07 June, 2008 |
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Observation wells received much historical interest relating to observatories. In this article Prof. Aydin Sayili describes the history of "observation wells" both in Islamic and European worlds.
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Principle and Use of Ottoman Sundials |
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By: Atilla Bir, Fri 30 May, 2008 |
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Muslim astronomers and engineers invented a variety of dials for timekeeping and for determining the times of the five daily prayers. In this thorough and technical study, Professor Attila Bir analyses the principle and use of Ottoman sundials. Beginning with the definition of the the day, the hour and the prayer times, he analyses the mathematical formulas of the main two varieties of suncials used by Ottoman astronomers, the horizontal and vertical sundials.
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Kamal Al-Din Al-Farisi’s Explanation of the Rainbow |
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By: FSTC Limited, Fri 23 May, 2008 |
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This article focuses on a critical presentation of the arguments put forward by Kamal al-Din al-Farisi about the formation of the rainbow. This optical phenomenon was explained simultaneously but independently by two scientists, Kamal al-Din al-Farisi and Theodoric of Freiberg. Surprisingly, their theories of the rainbow were nearly correct in some respects and somewhat similar to our present understanding. This study reveals that Kamal al-Din al-Farisi was well ahead of his time in his assumptions related to most of the above mentioned topic.
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Our Arab Heritage in the Celestial Vault |
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By: FSTC Limited, Thu 01 May, 2008 |
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In Arabic culture, as in other civilisations, the cultural dimension of the history of astronomy appears in part in the meanings and origins of star and constellation names. This nomenclature was shaped by cultural symbols transmitted across the centuries. The article describes some examples of the popular Arabic culture that lies behind the names of several stars and constellations.
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Arabic Eclipse Records Bring Light to Scientific Analysis of the Earth's Rotation |
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By: FSTC, Mon 18 February, 2008 |
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A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from large parts of our globe. On this occasion, we attract the attention of our readers to the historic contribution of the astronomers that worked in the Muslim lands in the study of such spectacular astronomical events. By analysing the eclipse records let by Arab and Muslim scholars of the past, the scientists today have drawn from them ground breaking results that help them in determining secular changes in the Earth's rotation.
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The Armillary Sphere: A Concentrate of Knowledge in Islamic Astronomy |
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By: Samia Khan, Sat 01 December, 2007 |
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The armillary sphere is an ancient astronomical instrument reproducing a model of the celestial sphere. In its simplest form, it was known since the antiquity. The article presents the principle of its drawing and use, as displayed in Muslim heritage, and hence shows the concentrate of scientific knowledge that lies behind the apparent simplicity of the instrument.
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Arabic Star Names: A Treasure of Knowledge Shared by the World |
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By: FSTC Research Team, Sat 24 November, 2007 |
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FSTC Research Team Many of the prominent stars known today are of Arabic origin as they bear names given to them during the golden age of Islamic astronomy. A major contribution in this field is that of al-Sufi (10th century). Presenting shortly the historical context of the old nomenclature of Arabic star names, the article contains also a list of 165 stars known by Arabic names.
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Seeking Seamless Scientific Wonders: Review of Emilie Savage-Smith's Work |
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By: Najma Kazi, Sat 24 November, 2007 |
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Najma Kazi reviews some salient aspects of Emilie Savage-Smith's work. Emilie Savage-Smith, who is a Professor of History of Science at the Oriental Institute (Oxford University), is an internationally recognised authority on the History of Islamic Science, and is a key figure within a small band of historians that are spearheading the discovery of Muslim Heritage and its impact on civilisation.
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