Miracle of Islamic Science

Geography

Ptolmey (90 –168): The science of geography was

revived during the 15th, 16th and17th centuries when the ancientworks of Ptolemy werediscovered

Science of Geography

Muslim Scientists (8th – 15th Century): Muslim geographers produced untold

volumes of books on the geography of Africa,

Asia, India, China and the Indies during the

8th through 15th centuries.

These included the world's first geographical encyclopedias, almanacs and road maps.

Ibn Battutah's 14th century masterpieces provide a detailed view of the geography of the ancient world.

The Muslim geographers of the 10th - 15th century far exceeded the output by Europeans regarding the geography of these regions.

The Crusades led to the destruction

of educational institutions, their scholars

and books. They brought nothing

substantive regarding geography to the

Western world.Claudius Ptolmey

Ibn Batuta

Alexander Neckam (1157-1217): The compass was invented by

the Chinese who may have beenthe first to use it for navigationalpurposes sometime between1000 and 1100 A.D.

The earliest reference to its usein navigation was by theEnglishman, Alexander Neckam(1157-1217).

Mariner’s Compass

Muslim Scientists (8th Century): Muslim geographers and navigators

were the first to use magnetic needles in navigation.

Gustav Le Bon claims that the magnetic needle and compass were entirely invented by the Muslims and that the Chinese had little to do with it. Neckam, as well as the Chinese, learned of it from Muslim traders.

Chinese improved their navigational expertise after they began interacting with the Muslims during the 8th century.

Loupan Ancient Chinese Compass

Muslim Mariner’s Compass

Hans Lippershey, Zacharias Janssen and

Jacob Metius of Alkmaar:

The earliest evidence of working telescopes were the refracting telescopes that appeared in the Netherlands in 1608.

Their development is credited to Hans Lippershey (1570–1619), Zacharias Janssen (1580-1638 ) and Jacob Metius of Alkmaar (1571 – 1628).

Galileo greatly improved upon these designsthe following year.

In 1668, Isaac Newton built the

first practical reflecting telescope

that bears his name,

the Newtonian reflector.

Abul Hasan (9th Century – 957 C.E.): Abul Hasan is distinguished as the

inventor of the Telescope, which he

Described to be a "Tube, to the

extremities of which were attached

diopters".

The telescope was improved and used in the observatories of Maragha and Cairo with great success.

The first observatory of Islam was made in Mamun's reign at Shamassia on the plains of Tadmur. Afterwards several more were created.

Telescope

Hans Lippershey Zacharias Janssen Jacob Metius

Newton's telescope Tadmur Ruins

Imago Mundi of 6th century BC Babylonia:

The oldest known world map is the Imago Mundi of 6th century BC Babylonia. The map as reconstructed by Eckhard Unger shows Babylon on the Euphrates. Anaximander (died ca. 546 BC) iscredited with having created one of the first maps of the world, which Was circular in form and showed theknown lands of the world grouped around the Aegean Sea at the center

Ibn Batuta, Ibn Khaldun and Muhammad Al-Idrisi :

Ibn Batuta and Ibn Khaldun stand out for their extensive travels and accounts on their explorations and lengthy expeditions.

Al-Idrisi produced a number of accurate maps of the world, including within them continents, trade routes and famous cities.

Among his works are a world map and the first known globe. He is said to draw the first correct map of the world "lawh al-tarsim" (plank of draught).

• Al-Muqdishi was the first geographer to compile accurate maps in colour.

• Because of Muslim navigators and their inventions, it was that Magellan was able to traverse the Cape of Good Hope.

The World Map

Anaximander

The Ptolemy world map is a map based on the description of the world contained in Ptolemy's book Geographia, written Circa 150.

Ibn Batuta Ibn Khaldun Al-Idrisi