Jundishapur and the Role of Islamic Civilization in the Flourishing of Astronomy

Gholamreza Avani said that the translation of Iranian, Indian, and Greek astronomical works into Arabic played a major role in shaping and expanding astronomy in Islamic civilization. The translation of works on Iranian and Indian zij (astronomical tables), as well as Ptolemy's Almagest, paved the way for Muslim scholars to become acquainted with earlier achievements.

Iran Ambassador Arjan History Service (Arjan Ambassador) - The history of astronomy in Islamic civilization is the narrative of centuries of scientific progress and the role played by Muslim scientists in expanding the boundaries of human knowledge. On the occasion of holding a conference on the history of astronomy in Iran at the Academy of Sciences, we had a conversation with Dr. Gholamreza Awani, professor of philosophy and head of the history of science commission of the Academy of Sciences, about the place of astronomy in Islamic civilization and the contribution of Muslim sages in advancing this knowledge.

To examine the history of astronomy in Iran and the Islamic world, what place can be considered for Jundishapur University during the Sasanian period?

In order to understand the history of astronomy, we must pay attention to the role of Iran's scientific centers before Islam, especially Jundi Shapur during the Sassanid period. In this scientific center, various sciences and knowledge, including Iranian, Indian and Greek knowledge, were studied and taught. Therefore, the teaching of astronomy in Jundishapur was not limited to Greek works such as Ptolemy's Book of Al-Magist, but Iranian and Indian astronomical knowledge also had a place in this center.

What were the most important Iranian and Indian astronomical sources in that period?

One of the most important astronomical works of ancient Iranians is "Zeij Shahriari" or "Zeech" Shahi, which is said to have been composed during the time of Anoushirvan. In the Indian astrological tradition, there was a work called "Siddhanta", which is referred to as "Indian Document" in Islamic sources. Based on this, Iranian and Indian astronomical traditions, along with Greek works, were among the important sources of teaching and studying astronomy.

How was the transfer of this scientific heritage to the Islamic world?

The translation of Iranian, Indian and Greek astronomical works into Arabic language played an important role in the formation and expansion of astronomy in Islamic civilization. The translation of the works related to Iranian and Indian zijs as well as Ptolemy's book of al-Magisti provided the basis for the familiarization of Muslim scholars with the previous achievements. This trend was further expanded in the great translation movement in Baghdad, especially in the scientific environment of Bait al-Hikma. Al-Majisti book was also translated several times during Ma'mun's period and attracted the attention of scholars. ‎

After the translation movement, what scientists played a role in the spread of astronomy in the Islamic world?

After this period, many scientists appeared in various branches of astronomy and developed this knowledge. Among them, we can mention the Iranian families of Al Nobakht, Khwarazmi, Ferghani, Fazari, Zarkali, Bettani, Abu Sahl Kohi, Abdol Rahman Sufi, Abulofa Bozjani, Aburihan Biruni, Ibn Yunus, Nasir al-Din Tousi, Qutb al-Din Shirazi, Mohi al-Din Maghrib, Ghoshchi and Ghias al-Din Jamshid Kashani. These scientists belonged to different regions of the Islamic world; From Andalusia in the west to North Africa, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, India, and beyond the Nile, the geographical spread of these figures shows that astronomy in Islamic civilization was not the result of the activity of one center or one land, but grew in a wide network of scientific and cultural centers.

What is the meaning of zij in astronomy and what zijs have had special importance in Islamic civilization?

Zij is one of the important works in the astronomical tradition that usually includes information and calculations related to the position and movement of celestial bodies and is used for astronomical calculations and predictions related to their movement. In Islamic civilization, many zijs were compiled, each of which was important in a historical period. Among them, we can mention Zij Mamouni, Zij Hakimi in Egypt, Zij Tlitla in Andalusia, Zij Sanjari, Zij Ilkhani in Maragheh and Zij Al-Aghbeyg in Samarkand. These works were a reflection of astronomers' continuous efforts to record observational data, improve calculations and increase accuracy in recognizing celestial movements.

How did the progress of mathematics affect the development of astronomy in the Islamic world?

The progress of mathematical sciences was one of the main factors in the development of astronomy. The development of algebra, the completion of geometrical methods and the progress of spherical trigonometry provided important computational tools to astronomers. By using these achievements, scientists could make more accurate calculations about the position of celestial objects and improve observational and astronomical methods. Therefore, the history of astronomy in Islamic civilization cannot be examined separately from the history of mathematics; These two fields interacted with each other and the achievements of each helped the development of the other

How can we evaluate the influence of astronomy in Islamic civilization on European science and technology?

One of the signs of the influence of astronomy in Islamic civilization on the scientific tradition of Europe is the transfer of terms and calculation methods to Latin and other European languages. The Arabic and Persian roots of a number of astronomical terms in European languages, along with the transfer of scientific texts and observational tools, indicate the extensive communication between the scientists of the Islamic world and Europe. From this point of view, the Islamic civilization was not only the inheritor of the previous knowledge, but also played an important role in the formation of the next path of astronomy by translating, criticizing, modifying and developing them.

One of the great achievements of astronomy in Iran is the compilation of the Jalali calendar by Hakim Omar Khayyam Neishaburi and his colleagues. This calendar is so accurate that it is still being used. Previous calendars, such as the Gregorian calendar, were not accurate enough

Gholamreza Awani said: The translation of Iranian, Indian and Greek astronomical works into Arabic had an important role in the formation and expansion of astronomy in Islamic civilization. The translation of the works related to Iranian and Indian zijs as well as Ptolemy's book of al-Magisti provided the basis for the familiarization of Muslim scholars with the previous achievements.

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