Reflections on Observational Astronomy in the Medieval Islamic Period (Variorum Collected Studies)
Within this enthralling anthology of refined essays, S. Mohammad Mozaffari embarks on an extensive journey through the realm of observational astronomy as it flourished during the medieval Islamic golden age. Encompassing the rich tapestry of knowledge from the 9th to the 17th centuries, this volume invites readers to discover the remarkable strides made in astronomical inquiry, revealing a vivid panorama of the era's scientific prowess. Divided into five distinct segments, the text investigates a multitude of themes, including helio- and lunar-based astronomy, the intricacies of planetary mechanics, stellar surveying, and the innovation of celestial instruments. Mozaffari’s fastidious scholarship illuminates the evolving acknowledgment of solar annular eclipses, groundbreaking realizations that differentiate the precessional changes of equinoxes from the movement of apogees, and notable enhancements made to the Ptolemaic framework concerning planetary latitude calculations. Of exceptional interest is the scrutiny of a non-Ptolemaic stellar catalogue, stretching from the 9th-century insights of Baghdad to the astronomical advancements in 13th-century Maragha, alongside a comprehensive evaluation of celestial observations realized at both the Maragha and Istanbul observatories. This erudite manuscript is an indispensable treasure trove for historians, scientific minds, and passionate astronomy aficionados alike, proffering profound understandings of the trajectory of precise sciences and the intricate interplay between theoretical concepts and observational practices woven throughout history.
- Author: S. Mohammad Mozaffari
- Publisher: Routledge; 1st edition (9 December 2024)
- Genre: Astronomy & Space Science
- ISBN: 978-1032772349
- Pages: 368 pages