This volume of 12 studies, mainly published during the past 15
years, begins with an overview of the Islamic astronomy covering
not only sophisticated mathematical astronomy and instrumentation
but also simple folk astronomy, and the ways in which astronomy was
used in the service of religion. It continues with discussions of
the importance of Islamic instruments and scientific manuscript
illustrations. Three studies deal with the regional schools that
developed in Islamic astronomy, in this case, Egypt and the
Maghrib. Another focuses on a curious astrological table for
calculating the length of life of any individual. The notion of the
world centred on the sacred Kaaba in Mecca inspired both
astronomers and proponents of folk astronomy to propose methods for
finding the qibla, or sacred direction towards the Kaaba; their
activities are surveyed here. The interaction between the
mathematical and folk traditions in astronomy is then illustrated
by an 11th-century text on the qibla in Transoxania. The last three
studies deal with an account of the geodetic measurements sponsored
by the Caliph al-Ma'mA"n in the 9th century; a world-map in the
tradition of the 11th-century polymath al-BA (R)rA"nA (R), alas
corrupted by careless copying; and a table of geographical
coordinates from 15th-century Egypt.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
