The planetary equatorium of Jamshīd Ghiyāth Al-dīn Al-kāshī (d. 1429) /
Instruments for solving astronomical problems are part of a continuous tradition reaching far back through the Middle Ages into the Hellenistic world. Dr. Kennedy expands the history of analog computers by providing an account of an important development in Central Asia where, in the Samarqand obser...
Saved in:
Group Author: | |
---|---|
Published: |
Princeton University Press,
|
Publisher Address: | Princeton, NJ : |
Publication Dates: |
[2017] ©1960 |
Literature type: | Book |
Language: | English |
Series: |
Princeton oriental studies ;
volume 18 Princeton legacy library |
Subjects: | |
Summary: |
Instruments for solving astronomical problems are part of a continuous tradition reaching far back through the Middle Ages into the Hellenistic world. Dr. Kennedy expands the history of analog computers by providing an account of an important development in Central Asia where, in the Samarqand observatory of the Timurid prince Ulugh Beg, an outstanding mathematician of the fifteenth century invented his unique planetary equatorium. With this mechanico-graphical device, Kashi determined solar, lunar, and planetary true longitudes and predicted eclipses, obtaining magnitude, time, and duration. His was the only equatorium with which the determination of planetary latitudes was attempted. In this sense it represents the apex of development reached by this class of instrument. Dr. Kennedy here presents the text of the Persian manuscript describing Kashi's instrument together with an English translation and commentaryá Originally published in 1960. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. |
Item Description: | An edition of the anonymous persian manuscript 75 [44b] in the Garrett Collection at Princeton University, being a description of two computig instruments, the plate of heavens and the plate of conjunctions. |
Carrier Form: | xv, 267 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-255) and index. |
ISBN: |
9780691654829 (hardback) : 0691654824 (hardback) 9781400886302 1400886309 |
Index Number: | QB85 |
CLC: | P111 |
Call Number: | P111/P712 |
Contents: |
Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- INTRODUCTION -- TEXT and TRANSLATION -- TEXT OF THE MANUSCRIPT -- TREATISE I. ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INSTRUMENT CALLED THE PLATE OF HEAVENS -- TREATISE II. ON THE OPERATION OF THE PLATE OF HEAVENS -- COMMENTARY -- PERSIAN GLOSSARY -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX |