Format:
1 online resource (1142 pages)
ISBN:
9781433703812
Series Statement:
Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Science. Texts and Studies v.55
Content:
'This is the first investigation of one of the main interests of astronomy in Islamic civilization, namely, timekeeping by the sun and stars and the regulation of the astronomically-defined times of Muslim prayer. The study is based on over 500 medieval astronomical manuscripts first identified by the author, now preserved in libraries all over the world and originally from the entire Islamic world from the Maghrib to Central Asia and the Yemen. The materials presented provide new insights into the early development of the prayer ritual in Islam. They also call into question the popular notion that religion could not inspire serious scientific activity. Only one of the hundreds of astronomical tables discussed here was known in medieval Europe, which is one reason why the entire corpus has remained unknown until the present. A second volume, also to be published by Brill, deals with astronomical instruments for timekeeping and other computing devices.
Content:
Intro -- Preface 1 -- Statement on previous publication of parts of this volume -- Bibliography and bibliographical abbreviations -- Part X. Astronomical instrumentation in the medieval Islamic world -- 1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS -- 2 OBSERVATIONAL INSTRUMENTS -- 3 CELESTIAL GLOBES AND ARMILLARY SPHERES -- 4 STANDARD PLANISPHERIC ASTROLABES -- 4.1 On standard astrolabes -- 4.2 Astrolabe construction -- 4.3 Ornamental retes -- 4.4 On the geography of astrolabes -- 4.5 Special markings relating to prayer -- 4.6 Astrological markings -- 4.7 Additional markings -- 5 NON-STANDARD ASTROLABES -- 5.1 Non-standard retes -- 5.2 The universal plate and universal astrolabe -- 5.3 An astrolabe engraved with astronomical tables and fitted with an equatorium -- 5.4 Geared astrolabes and astronomical clocks -- 5.5 The spherical astrolabe -- 5.6 The linear astrolabe -- 5.7 Horizontal orthogonal projections -- 6 QUADRANTS -- 6.1 The trigonometric quadrant -- 6.2 The universal horary quadrant -- 6.3 Latitude-specific horary quadrants -- 6.4 The astrolabic quadrant -- 6.5 The universal quadrant -- 6.6 Caveat: the new quadrant of Profatius -- 7 SUNDIALS -- 7.1 Treatises on gnomonics and sundial construction -- 7.2 Some surviving Islamic sundials -- 8 EQUATORIA -- 9 MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTS -- 9.1 Universal instruments for timekeeping by day and night -- 9.2 The magnetic compass -- 9.3 Astronomical compendia -- 9.4 Qibla-indicators -- 9.5 Mecca-centred world-maps -- 9.6 "Slide-rules" for astronomers -- 9.7 The pendulum -- 10 SCHOOLS OF INSTRUMENT-MAKERS -- 11 CONCLUDING REMARKS -- Part XI. An approximate formula for timekeeping (750-1900) -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Astronomical timekeeping in the medieval Near East and Europe -- 1.2 Two approximate formulae for timekeeping -- 1.3 The sources used for the present study -- 1.4 The notation used in the analysis.
Note:
Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9789004141889
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Druck-Ausgabe King, David A., 1941 - In synchrony with the heavens ; 2: Instruments of mass calculation : (studies X - XVIII) Leiden : Brill, 2005 ISBN 900414188X
Language:
English
URL:
Volltext
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