Instruments of mass calculation (studies X-XVIII) / by David A. King.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

King, David A., 1941-

Series:

Islamic philosophy, theology, and science ; v. 55.

Islamic philosophy, theology, and science, 0169-8729 ; v. 55

In synchrony with the heavens: studies in astronomical timekeeping and instrumentation in medieval Islamic civilization ; 2

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Islamic countries--History.

Astronomy.

Astronomy, Medieval.

Islam and science.

Time (Islamic law).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1142 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Preface 1; Statement on previous publication of parts of this volume; Bibliography and bibliographical abbreviations; Part X. Astronomical instrumentation in the medieval Islamic world; Part XI. An approximate formula for timekeeping (750-1900); Part XII. On universal horary quadrants and dials; Part XIII. Selected early Islamic astrolabes, preceded by a general overview of astrolabes; Part XIV. Selected late Islamic astrolabes; Part XV. An astrolabe from medieval Spain with inscriptions in Hebrew, Arabic and Latin; Part XVI. The geographical data on early Islamic astronomical instruments

Part XVII. The quatrefoil as decoration on astrolabe retesPart XVIII. A checklist of Islamic astronomical instruments to ca. 1500, ordered chronologically by region; Indexes of instruments and personal names; Addenda and corrigenda to Vol. 1

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-280-86793-0

9786610867936

1-4294-5364-8

90-474-0675-3

1-4337-0381-5

OCLC:

171561467

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047406754 DOI