The star finder-Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (Biography, Famous Works)

'Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi is a Persian Muslim astronomer who is also known as' Abd ar-Rahman as-Sufi, 'or' Abd al-Rahman Abu al-Husain, 'Abdul Rahman Sufi,' Abdurrahman Sufi and in the west known as Azophi. Azfish moon craters and small as-Sufi planets are taken from their names. 

Biography

Abd ar-Rahman bin Umar al-sufi Abul Husayn was born in Rayy Persia on 14 Muharram 291 H / 5 December 903 AD He lived under the reign of Adud al-Dawla. He even lived in a royal palace housed in Isfahan, Persia. At the time he was known as a brilliant astronomer and was one of the pride of the emperor among "three stars".

His work is to translate and extend the works of Greek astronomers, especially the "Almagest" of Ptolemaios, as well as correcting Ptolemy's list of stars. In fact, he got a position as the main translator of Hellenistic Astronomy that has been centered in Alexandria into Arabic. The biggest thing he did was to link the names of stars according to greek and arab studies, and his constellations. 

Abd ar-Rahman ibn Umar al-Sufi Abul Husayn died on 13 Muharram 376 H / 25 May 986 AD, in Shiraz, Iran. 

Famous Works

The most famous as-Sufi work is Kitab al-Kawakib ats-Thabit al-Musawwar, a catalog of stars based on his own observations. This catalog is the first star atlas to discuss the nebula in the constellation Andromeda, as well as the most important star atlas for revealing a number of changes experienced by several major stars within ten centuries. As-Sufi dedicated the book he wrote about 965 (355 H) to Buyld Emir Adud al-Dawla.

The Book of al-Kawakib ats-Thabit al-Musawwar is one of the earliest illustrated manuscripts that examines some of Ptolemy's findings. The illustrations are made so interesting to describe the constellations or arrangements of stars that had been previously composed by Utarid bin Muhammad. However, another source mentions that Kitab al-Kawakib ats-Thabit al-Musawwar is a translation book of a number of Greek scholarly manuscripts, such as the Pagolomeus Almagest. If both are compared, the Greek astronomical work is full of astronomical symbols is almost similar to the order of stars in the book as-Sufi works. However, if observed more closely, it appears that the illustration of the star's order is a figure of a leading figure formed from a series of red dots. Now,

In addition to the above works, there are still many as-sufi works which are re-illustrated with different styles and titles according to the times. A text and translation of his introduction was published by Caussin de Parceval under the title Notices at Extraits, and by HCFC Schjellerup entitled Description des Etoiles Fixes par Abd al-Rahman as-Sufi (St. Petersburg, 1874). In 1953, the same manuscript was published in Arabic, after the manuscript in Paris was edited first by M. Nazamuddin.

As-Sufi has also written a handbook on astronomy and astrology, as well as a treatise on astrolobes. Besides writing, as-Sufi has also made a map of earth from silver material. He presented this map to King Adud al-Dawla. Now, the map is stored in the Fatima Palace Library in Cairo. 

Some of his other struggles include:

1. Identified "The Large Magellanic Cloud" which at that time could only be seen in Yemen. And only can be seen in mainland Europe after the Magellan cruise in the 16th century.
2. He was the first observer of galaxy andromeda in 964 AD
3. Examining the plane's aerial plane that tends to the celestial equator.
4. A very accurate calculation of the calculation of the tropical year.
5. He observes and describes the stars, their positions, their magnitude even to their color. For each constellation he provides two images. One image is visible from the outside and one picture is visible from the earth.
6. As-Sufi is also the first to describe more than 1,000 astrolabe differences, such as astronomy, navigation, surveying, timeliness, qibla and so on. And many more results of his struggle that can not be mentioned.
7. He is one of the most famous astronomers. One of his masterpiece works is the Book of Suwar al-Kawakib al-Thabita and in his English titled Fixed Star (between 903 and 986). This book describes the layout of the stars that are always in position.

According to Islamic and Muslim Art sources, this astronomy book is a translation and adaptation of a number of unani scientific texts such as "Almagest" from Ptolemaios, "Farnese Atlas" and "Phenomena" Aratus. In this book is presented also in the form of appearance figures or prominent figures are marked with red dots as a sign of the stars. 

The first manuscript can still be found in the library bodleian. The manuscript was copied, illustrated and dichotographed by his own son in 1009-1010. The text and translations of his introduction were published by Caussin de Perceval, entitled "Notices at Extraits" as well as by HCFC Schjellerup entitled "Description des etoiles par Abd Al-Rahman as-Sufi", St. petersburg 1874.

Other works that still exist, including a handbook on astronomy and astrology. There is also a treatise on the use of astrolabes. An earth map made of silver made to the king Adud Dawla has also been portrayed in the library of the Fatima Dynasty Palace in Cairo. 

Source: 

-  Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi

-  Biography of Abdul Rahman As-Sufi: Muslim Scientist Author of Astronomy Book 

-  Biography of Abd ar-Rahman As-Sufi

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