CREATOR UNKNOWN

18th century, Maghrib (North Africa). MS 132

One of our most recent acquisitions is a leaf from an astronomical table, also known as a Zij (زج). The table allows for the measurement and recording of the movement of constellations. A zij begins with the Hijra, the date that the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina and set the first Islamic state. Recorded in the table are the fixed stars and longitudes and latitudes for North African cities compiled by the astronomer Ibn al-Raffa.

Bibliography

Leaf with Astronomical Table. Maghrib, 18th century. University of Oregon, Special Collections and University Archives, MS 132.

Neugebauer, O. The Astronomical Tables of Al-Khwarizmi. Kobenhavn: The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, 1962.