1. Museum of the History of Science Science and Islam
Introduction to Astronomy in Islam

2. Science and Learning in Medieval Islam
Early Islamic teaching encouraged the pursuit of all knowledge that helped to improve people’s lives
Muslims translated important works from ancient Greece (Aristotle/Plato)and Egypt
Arabic became the international language of scholarship…while Europe was in the dark ages
Huge libraries were established in big cities like Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus

3. Islam Math and Science
Due to extensive trade, they came into contact with India and used their numeric system as well as the concept of zero.
Developed Scientific method…conducted experiments
Mathematician Al-Khwarizmi developed Algebra in the late 700’s
Muslims developed trigonometry

4. Astronomy Astronomy was important to Muslims for practical reasons:
Observations of the sun and moon were used to determine prayer times and an accurate calendar
Astronomical observations were important for purposes of navigation
Astronomical observations were import for the practice of astrology

5. Raj Jai Singh II’s observatory (C18th) in Jaipur, India
Astronomer Taqi ad-Din established the observatory at Galata (now Istanbul) in 1575 at the height of the Ottoman empire
The instruments featured in this miniature painting include globes, armillary spheres, guadrants, astrolabes and a sand glass timer
The Observatory at Jaipur in India was built by Raj Jai Singh during the eighteenth century.
It included giant stone built instruments such as quadrants and sundials. The scale of the instruments contributed to their greater accuracy.
Earlier instruments such as these may have existed in Islamic centres such as Baghdad (Iraq) and Damascus (Syria)
Large observatories were established and new instruments such as the astrolabe were developed
Ottoman observatory 1781
Photograph: The Whipple Museum, Cambridge

6. The quadrant
The quadrant is an observational instrument used to measure the angle or altitude of a celestial object.
Horary quadrants also had markings on one side that would enable the user to calculate the time of day.

7. Armillary sphere
The armillary sphere was a model used to demonstrate the motions of the celestial sphere (stars) and the annual path of the sun (the ecliptic).
It could also be used to demonstrate the seasons, the path of the sun in the sky for any day of the year, and to make other astronomical calculations.
Early Islamic models were based on a model of the Universe established by Ptolemy in which the Earth was placed at the centre.

8. The astrolabe
The astrolabe was a type of astronomical calculator and were developed to an extraordinary level of sophistication by early Muslim scholars.
They were often used for religious purposes to calculate prayer times and religious festivals.
This instrument has prayer lines marked on the back to indicate prayer times.
Astrolabe, by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore, c. 1650

9. Lateen Sail
The sail, its free corner secured near the stern, was capable of taking the wind on either side, and, by enabling the vessel to tack into the wind, the lateen immensely increased the potential of the sailing ship.
The lateen is believed to have been used in the eastern Mediterranean as early as the 2nd century CE, possibly imported from Egypt or the Persian Gulf. Its effective use by the Arab Muslims caused its rapid spread throughout the Mediterranean, contributing significantly to the resurgence of medieval commerce.

10. Some Important Figures to Influence the Medicine in Islam
Al-Razi
surgeon
wrote the largest medical encyclopedia
explained the nature of several diseases
found a treatment for kidney stones
famous for his study of chicken pox & small pox
first to use opium for anesthesia
developed many surgical tools
Ibn Sina
recognize the contagious nature of tuberculosis
wrote the al-Qanun
an encyclopedia that identifies 760 different drugs

11. Ptolemy and Copernicus: Two Competing Theories

12. Ptolemy’s Universe
The ancient Greeks came up with different theories about the Universe.
The geocentric model described by the influential Greek astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemy (~85-165) was unchallenged for well over 1000 years.
Harmonia Macrocosmica, by Andreas Cellarius, printed in 1661 – Museum of the History of Science

13. Muslim astronomers in Medieval Islam adopted the geocentric model
Muslim astronomers inherited much of their learning from the Ancient Greeks.
This included the geocentric theory about the Universe.
The geocentric model could be used to explain the apparent movement of the sun and stars and to make accurate predictions.
Ottoman manuscript, Photograph: The Whipple Museum, Cambridge

14. Copernicus’ heliocentric theory
Nicolaus Copernicus ( ) was a Polish astronomer and mathematician who made detailed observations and measurements.
He proposed a heliocentric theory in which he placed the sun at the centre of the solar system.
His idea was not accepted at first because it went against the teachings of the Catholic Church who accused him of heresy.
Harmonia Macrocosmica, by Andreas Cellarius, printed in 1661 – Museum of the History of Science