Maraghe Observatory and an Effort towards Retrieval of Architectural Design of Astronomical Units
محورهای موضوعی : Space Ontology International Journal
Javad Shekari Niri
1
(Assistant Professor of Conservation of Historical Buildings, Faculty of Architecture, International University of Imam Khomeini, Qazvin, Iran)
کلید واژه: Maraghe Observatory, Retrieval of Architectural Design, Astronomical Units, Circular Plans, Jaipur Observatory, Architectural Materials,
چکیده مقاله :
Maraghe observatory was built by such engineers as Moayiededdin Orozi etc. under supervision of Khaje Nasireddin Tousi in 7th century AH. The most significant feature associated with Maraghe observatory is the fact that architecture is employed to achieve astronomical purposes in this site. The reason for preferring observatory by astronomers was the fact that these units are superior to wooden and metal instruments with respect to accuracy, no size limitations, etc. Architectural design and function of astronomical units of Maraghe observatory site after discovery of its foundation in the course of explorations before Islamic Revolution remained unclear until recent years. After conducting required studies and investigations, the author managed to find significant cues and after some precise comparisons, he succeeded to recover the main design and function of some astronomical units of this international center. Based on these findings these astronomical structures can reliably be rebuilt. This research showed that every circular or polygonal building cannot be considered as an observatory. For example form and function of cemetery structures are completely different with astronomical ones. Following this research also valuable results were obtained in relation to stone architectural structures present on Maraghe observatory hill. In addition, claims about invention of astronomical units of Maraghe observatory by non-Iranian scientists are rejected and rights of Iranian scientists are rationally defended in this regard.
1) Anaskhan, M., 1977. Role of Tousi in formulation, adjustment and generalization of mathematics and astronomy, Memorial of KhajeNasireddinTousi, vol. 1, Tehran University press (in Persian).
2) Baqeri, M., 1986. From Samarqand to Kashan, Vol. 1, letters of GhiaseddinJamshid Kashani to his father, Vol.I, Scientific and Cultural publishing, Tehran (in Persian).
3) Daulat Sing, R., Astronomical Observatory of Jaipur, India: Jaipur, Dflta publications.
4) Habibollah, N., 1963. Shapoor library, Maraghe library, Vahid Journal, no. 3, 11th period, series 114, Tehran, pp. 272-274 (in Persian).
5) Rafie, A., 1985. Income of observatory and horoscope of Maraghe, book of Islamic heritage of Iran, by Rasoul Najafian, Library of Ayatollah MarashiNajafi (in Persian).
6) Saeili, A., 1997. KhajeNasireddin and Maraghe observatory, Memorial of KhajeNasireddin Tousi, 1th edition, Tehran University press (in Persian).
7) Virendra Nath Sharma, J., Singh M. B. 1995. Sawai Jai, Sing And his Astronomy.india, Delhi
8) Tayyar Maraghi, M., 1986. Maraghe scientific centers and schools, Journal of Miras-e-Javedan, 14th series, 4th year, no. 2, Tehran, pp.77-78 (in Persian).
9) Varjavand, P., 1977. Exploration in Maraghe observatory, Amir Kabir publishing, Tehran (in Persian).
10) Nath Sharma, V., Sawai Jai Sing and His Astronomy, 1997, Britain, London: Cambridge University Press.
11) Johnson, S.R., 2011. The Spatialization of Knowledge and Power at the Astronomical Servatories of Sawai Jai Singh II, pp. 1721-1743 CE, Illinois: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Websites
