Astronomy

=Introduction= Pre-Islamic Arabs had no scientific astronomy. Their knowledge of stars was limited to what they observed with the rising and setting of stars. The rise of Islam provoked increased Arab thought in this field. Islamic Astronomy can be divided into the following four distinct time periods in its history.

I. The period of //assimilation// and //syncretisation// of earlier Hellenistic, Indian and Sassanid astronomy (700-825)

II. This period of //vigorous investigation//, in which the superiority of the //Ptolemaic system// of astronomy was accepted and significant contributions made to it. (825-1025)

III. The period when a distinctive //Islamic system of astronomy// flourished. The period began as the Muslim astronomers began questioning the framework of thePtolemaic system of astronomy. (1025-1450)

IV. The period of //stagnation//, when the traditional system of astronomy continued to be practiced with enthusiasm, but with rapidly decreasing innovation of any major significance. (1450-1900)

- Astronomy o First to make mark the nebula of Andromeda in an atlas o Measured rate of motion o Invented astrolabe