Many scientists, such as Galileo and Hypatia, were oppressed by the anti-scientific reactionary masses. A similar story took place in the Ottoman Empire. Here is the story of the scientist Takiyüddin and the observatory he founded:
It is the first observatory in Ottoman history and has a great importance in the history of Turkish science. Taki al-Din’s Observatory(Dar-ü’r Rasad-ül Cedid) was founded in 1575 by the Ottoman scholar Takiyüddin on the Tophane ridges in Istanbul, around the present Beyoğlu or Galata.
In this observatory, which made important contributions to science, valuable intellectuals worked, but some because of the science The works were blocked and this observatory was destroyed by shelling.
Takiyüddin, who had an important place among the scientists who contributed to the Ottoman Empire, was the last great representative of Classical Islamic astronomy.
Takiyuddin and his team
Takiyüddin, who lived between 1521 and 1585; He was an astronomer, engineer, mathematician, and mechanical scientist. He was considered “hezarfen” because he was a person with vast knowledge in many different disciplines. (One of the most famous hezarfens is Leonardo da Vinci, so the importance of Takiyüddin will be better understood.)
Takiyüddin, of Turkish origin, received his primary education from his father, one of the prominent scholars of Egypt. A good education in Damascus and Egypt furthered his scientific personality. When his family migrated to Istanbul in the 1550s, he continued his education here. He completed his education with good teachers in important cities of the period such as Egypt, Damascus and Istanbul. astronomer of his time it happened.
He founded a team in Istanbul in 1570, and made his studies and observations in the Galata Tower before the only Ottoman observatory was established in 1574.
Exterior and interior sketches of Galata Tower
At his observatory, he developed a new method for calculating solar parameters. He used Venus, two stars, Aldebaran and Spica Virginis, instead of the Moon, to determine the latitude and longitude of the fixed stars.
Takiyuddin, trigonometry He is also known for doing important work in his field. He gave the definitions of sine, cosine, tangent and cotangent, presented their proofs and prepared their tables. He was the first mathematician to determine the exact value of sin 1.
Takiyüddin and his team calculated the apogee of the Sun, which is currently 61″, as 63″. most realistic results managed to give Copernicus’ calculations with 24″ and Tycho Brahe’s 45″ values prove how good Taki al-Din and his team are.
One of the Ottoman astronomers working on the earth model in the observatory
By finding the 23° 27 angle between the ecliptic and the equator as 23° 28′ 40″ with a difference of 1 minute and 40 seconds, he calculated the closest and most accurate degree to reality for the first time in that date.
Moreover; They made observations of the Moon, Sun, and planets, and prepared latitude tables for the planets Saturn, Venus, and Mercury. They drew conclusions explaining the irregularities in the motions of the planets at a scale close to today’s values.
The first to measure time between meridians; It is none other than Taki al-Din who first revealed the birthplaces of the Sun, Moon and stars, and the latitude, longitude and inclination methods.
They made various designs on pocket, wall, table and sundials; They developed a unique numbering system in arithmetic.
A depiction of Taki al-Din working with his assistant at the observatory he founded.
Instead of sexagesimal fractions decimal fractions They prepared astronomical rulers that can be used even today. They produced works on astronomy, mathematics, mechanics, optics and medicine.
While describing the spherical propagation of light in one of his books, Takiyüddin used an instrument he made. “A crystal (lens) that can show things that cannot be seen because they are far away.” He talks about what he did before it was known in the West. telescope It is thought to be a similar tool.
200 years before Isaac Newton, he made the first satisfactory explanation that clearly states that colors are formed as a result of the reflection and refraction of light.
Taqi al-Din also proved that steam produces mechanical power. The rudimentary steam engine he built was more powerful in the 17th century. Pioneered the discovery of steam engines This led to the emergence of the modern steam turbine, which produces 80% of the world’s electrical energy.
Taki al-Din is the inventor of the mechanical alarm clock and the spring astronomical clock. He set up the astronomical clock he invented in the observatory for his own observations.
A brief account of the astronomical clock written by Takiyüddin in 1580.
This watch was more precise than any other watch used before and was used in the 16th century. one of the most important inventions in astronomy was considered.
Then, in November 1577, a comet appeared in the sky. Takiyuddin commented that this comet, which he watched for 40 days, would be beneficial.
Depiction of the comet seen in the sky of Istanbul in 1577
After his observation, Takiyüddin said that the sighting of the comet was Sultan III. for Murad it could be a good sign and he made a comment that he could be victorious from the Ottoman-Iranian war that was going on at that time.
After this comment, the desired result from the war did not come out, on top of that, a plague epidemic started and an earthquake occurred in Istanbul. The death of some important people has also been attributed to the transit of this comet.
It was suggested that the reason for these negative developments that followed one after another was the observatory.
Image: Takiyüddin and his colleagues work at the observatory with the instrument called Zatü’l-Halak (Halkalı Sphere). Zatü’l-Halak is an optical navigational device used to measure the angular distance between a celestial body and the horizon plane in order to determine the latitude and longitude of the location.
Some reactionary sections “Looking under the skirts of angels in the observatory” spread such irrational thoughts to the public. Shaykh al-Islam of the period, III. to Murad “It is bad luck to observe, observatories lead the countries they are in to disaster. The terrible consequences of disrespectfully attempting to illuminate the mystery of the skies are known to everyone. There is no country that undertakes this work so that it is not destroyed while it is flourishing, and the state organization is not destroyed.” He sent a fatwa containing his statements.
Thereupon, on January 22, 1580, the order was given to demolish the observatory.
The strings of the instrument used to observe the height of the sun and the stars were cut, and the building, It was destroyed along with the tools inside. Thus, the activities of the observatory came to an end.
The observatory, where Takiyuddin and his team worked wonders, provided many services to science even in just 5 years. Despite his short life It became an institution where the studies of classical Islamic astronomy progressed at a high level.
Taqi al-Din; He was deeply saddened by this destruction and the loss of his labor and died in 1585, 5 years after this event.
Comet and Takiyuddin viewed from Istanbul in 1577
He was a madman like Leonardo da Vinci, but “geography is destiny” suffered the brunt of the so-called condition. At the same time, his rival Kepler, using the observations of his teacher Tycho Brahe, discovered the laws of planetary rotation known as Kepler’s laws. If given the opportunity, the world would not know the name of Kepler today, but the name of Takiyüddin and his team, who were far ahead of him at that time.
This valuable scientist, who created a total of 1337 works, 841 in Turkish, 414 in Arabic and 102 in Persian, unfortunately fell victim to reaction. Today, some of Takiyüddin’s manuscripts belong to Boğaziçi University. Kandilli Observatory and the Earthquake Research Institute. Takiyüddin’s other works are on the shelves of different libraries.
Although a new observatory was established 300 years later, this time it fell victim to the March 31st uprising.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
RELATED NEWS