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Muslims and the Moon |
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By: FSTC Limited, Fri 13 June, 2003 |
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At a conference of the International Astronomical Union in 1935, ‘Lunar Formations' and their names were decided upon. Of the 672 formations, 609 were named after distinguished persons, 13 formations were given the names of major Muslim astronomers.
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The Samarqand Observatory |
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By: FSTC Limited, Fri 20 December, 2002 |
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The observatory of Samarqand dates from 1424AD and was a `monumental' building equipped with a huge meridian, made of masonry, a ‘Fakhri sextant’, of a radius of 40.4 metres. It was built By Uluh Beg (1394-1449).
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The Legacy of Ulugh Beg |
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By: FSTC Limited, Thu 27 December, 2001 |
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Kevin Krisciunas writes on The Legacy of Ulugh Beg. Although he recognising the crucial role of Islamic observation, he still finds sources of disagreement with the notion that the Samarqand observatory exerted decisive influence on Europe.
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The impact of Al-Battani on European Astronomy |
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By: FSTC Limited, Thu 27 December, 2001 |
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Al-Battani used the widest variety of instruments: astrolabes, tubes, a gnomon divided into twelve parts, a celestial globe with five armillaries, parallax rules, a mural quadrant, sundials, vertical as well as horizontal.
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Astronomical Observatories in the Classical Islamic Culture |
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By: FSTC Research Team, Thu 27 December, 2001 |
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FSTC Research Team The modern astronomical observatory as a research institute (as opposed to a private observation post as was the case in ancient times) is a creation of the Islamic scientific tradition. Since the early 9th century, the astronomers of Islamic lands worked in astronomical observtories in which they performed precise observations of the skies and produced accurate astronomical tables. The Islamic observatory was a dynamic scientific specialized institution with its own scientific staff, director, astronomical program, large astronomical instruments and building. Islamic observatories were also the earliest institutions to emphasize group research and in them theoretical investigations went hand in hand with observations.
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The Muslim Pioneers of Astronomy |
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By: FSTC Limited, Thu 27 December, 2001 |
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Most eminent Muslim astronomers include Al-Battani, al-Sufi, al-Biruni, and Ibn Yunus. They recorded the position of the sun, moon and the stars.
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1000 years of missing Astronomy |
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By: Dr.Salah Zaimeche BA, MA, PhD, Wed 26 December, 2001 |
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Arabic was the principal language of astronomy of the ninth through the eleventh centuries, just as English is today. Discover the contribution of early Muslims to Astronomy.
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An overview of Muslim Astronomers |
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By: FSTC Limited, Wed 26 December, 2001 |
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Al-Battani discovered the notions of trigonometrical ratios used today. Al-Biruni claimed the earth rotated around its own axis. Jabir Ibn Aflah made the first portable celestial sphere to measure and explain the movements of celestial objects. Read more...
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Transmission of Muslim Astronomy to Europe |
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By: FSTC Limited, Wed 26 December, 2001 |
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It was in Muslim Toledo, Spain, where flocked in the 12th century, in particular, scholars from all Christian lands to translate Muslim science, and start the scientific awakening of Europe.
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