Arabic Astronomy in Seventeenth-Century England: John Greaves’s Rediscovery of Arabic Astronomical Tables (Zijs)
Major Field of Study
History of Science
Location
Dominican University of California (online)
Start Date
19-6-2021 9:00 AM
End Date
19-6-2021 10:20 AM
Abstract
In 1637 the Oxford astronomer John Greaves traveled to the Levant to conduct observations and search for manuscripts. There he also planned a simultaneous sighting of a lunar eclipse. The question that comes to mind is, for what purpose Greaves had orchestrated this laborious astronomical measurement? An investigation into this question reveals an interest in Arabic astronomy in the seventeenth century to solve practical problems. Greaves's eclipse measurements led him to seek notable Arabic Star Tables (Zijs). Through the story of Greaves's simultaneous lunar eclipse observations and his extensive annotations in manuscripts, my talk will unravel the rich scientific interest in Arabic astronomy in Early Modern England to solve problems in navigation.
Arabic Astronomy in Seventeenth-Century England: John Greaves’s Rediscovery of Arabic Astronomical Tables (Zijs)
Dominican University of California (online)
In 1637 the Oxford astronomer John Greaves traveled to the Levant to conduct observations and search for manuscripts. There he also planned a simultaneous sighting of a lunar eclipse. The question that comes to mind is, for what purpose Greaves had orchestrated this laborious astronomical measurement? An investigation into this question reveals an interest in Arabic astronomy in the seventeenth century to solve practical problems. Greaves's eclipse measurements led him to seek notable Arabic Star Tables (Zijs). Through the story of Greaves's simultaneous lunar eclipse observations and his extensive annotations in manuscripts, my talk will unravel the rich scientific interest in Arabic astronomy in Early Modern England to solve problems in navigation.
Presenter Biography
Fyza Parviz is a Graduate Student in Stanford's MLA Program. She is currently working on her thesis on the subject of Seventeenth-Century English interest in Arabic Astronomy. In particular, she has been examining Oxford Astronomer John Greaves' archives at the Bodleian Library and is investigating his synchronized lunar eclipse observations in the Levant. Fyza is also a mother to a 20-month-old boy. She loves to read 19th-century fiction and is an avid book hoarder.