Sabah Rehman

Ancient Astronomy Project

The Islamic Empire had a massive contribution to astronomy and

mathematics as well as a great influence on western astronomy in
particularly. The Quran, the holy book for Muslims, references to
astronomical patterns in which can be observed in the sky. One key reason
for the Muslims being specific on astronomical patterns was due to the
prayer and religious holidays. In Islam, Muslims pray five times a day at
specific times, in relation to the position of where the sun is in the sky. The
moment of sunrise and sunset are crucial for fasting during this Islamic holy
month. Astronomical time keeping is an accurate way to keep track of the
start of new months, and was even key for Muslims to go about their daily
lives.
During the medieval period, astronomers in the Islamic world were
influenced by astronomers from Greece, India, and Iran while translating,
improving, and correcting information from older astronomers into Arabic as
they updated methods. They developed more accurate models of the
universe and the motions of the planets, the geometrical models of Ptolemy
in particularly, Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi was one major scientist doing so. He
made several corrections to Ptolemys list of stars and created his own
magnitude/brightness evaluations in which frequently contrasted from
Ptolemys work.

Some notable characteristics of their work was their thoroughness and

dedication to improving and revising old methods and theories. One common
factor among the Muslim astronomers was their desire for knowledge.
Baghdad served as a booming metropolis of libraries, museums, and
mosques. As scholars translated ancient Persian, Indian and Greek text the
Bayt al-Hikmah, otherwise known as The House of Wisdom, stood;
scientists and philosophers gathered to discuss, study and evaluate theories
and methods. Another important scientist was Al-Biruni who wrote books on
astronomy which included lunar, solar, planetary motions. Ibn al-Haytham,
evaluated and measured the thickness of the atmosphere and its outcome
on astronomical observations. Much of the knowledge obtained from the
many intellectuals in which gathered became the foundation to Islamic
astronomy aside what was written in the Quran.
Rather than culture, the religion was what had most influenced the
Muslims to progress in the science field. Astronomy was encouraged as it
correlated to their daily lives and influenced how they lived and prayed.
Beyond the Muslims in Mecca, astronomy helped direct Muslims from Persia
to Spain the direction in which to pray. The refined theories and methods
speaks for itself, and portrays the massive impact the Islamic society had on
astronomy. From physical improvements such as the Astrolabe. This is used
for measuring latitude, which was originally invented by the Greeks, but
cultivated by the Islamic astronomers to improve accuracy. Or pointing our

errors in which earlier scientists had made with mapping planetary motion,
improving and developing was the essence of Islamic empire.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/astr/hd_astr.htm
http://www.starteachastronomy.com/arab.html
https://explorable.com/islamic-astronomy
http://muslimobserver.com/contributions-of-islamic-astronomy/
http://www.britannica.com/biography/al-Biruni