User:Krtsstko2/Maragheh observatory

Minor Addition
-Edit made to "History" section explaining educational focus of observatory.

Plans for Additions, Edits, etc.
-Additional information on the prominent astronomers/natural philosophers who worked there. [IN PROGRESS]

-Add more images/wikimedia etc.

-More information or list of works produced at the observatory

Revisions; Old Sentence(s) Followed by New One(s)
// (-) generally indicates the original text, while (=) indicates replacement text or other proposed changes. If they are together, there is no base text I'm sourcing in particular.

Draft for full new version of the history section, with all revisions and integration of any important information from the Hulagu Khan section:
The observatory was founded by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher in 1259 CE.[10] Al-Tusi developed many astronomical theories, but failed to carry them to completion due to a lack of dedicated facilities.[citation needed] When the Mongols invaded the Western Persia region around 1253, they conquered Alamut Castle, where al-Tusi resided at the time.[17] Al-Tusi was respected as a scholar, and he met Hulagu Khan, grandchild of Genghis Khan and ruler of the recently established Ilkhanate.[10] Al-Tusi supposedly preyed on Hulagu's superstitions, telling him that he could predict the future if only Hulagu would sponsor his studies. Al-Tusi succeeded, becoming a trusted advisor to the khan.[11] Al-Tusi used this position of influence to save about 400,000 manuscripts from being destroyed in the sacking of Baghdad in 1258, also saving Ibn al-Fuwati, a young man who would one day become the librarian of the observatory.[citation]

When al-Tusi complained to Hulagu that his astronomical tables would have to be adapted to the latitude and longitude of Hulagu's new capital, he gave al-Tusi permission and resources to build a new observatory in the location of his choosing.[12] Al-Tusi chose a location near the city of Maragha (or Maragheh), in modern day Iran, where he became the first director of the observatory.[10] The construction of the observatory began in 1259, and lasted a total of three years.[7][8]  This is according to multiple books including Jam-e-ttavarikhe rashidi (Persian: جامع التواريخ رشيدي), saf-e-elhofreh (Persian: صاف الحفره), and favat-o-lvafiyyat (Persian: فوات الوفيات). Astronomer and engineer Mu'ayyid al-Din al-'Urdi designed and built many of the structures at the observatory, since much of the masonry also functioned as tools for astronomical measurement.[citation] Hulagu's trust of al-Tusi was so great that he established Maragheh as his own capital.[22] Scholars and students of mathematics, science, and astronomy came to the Maragheh Observatory from across the Islamic world and further. The site had a reputation so widespread it had reached as far as China.[13] Evidence has been found to suggest a major focus on education; student oriented texts have been discovered that offer introductions to mathematical astronomy and astronomical tables.[14] One notable scholar in attendance was Bar-Hebraeus, who late in his life took residence close to the observatory in order to use the library for his studies. He has left a description of the observatory.

A number of other prominent astronomers worked with al-Tusi at the observatory, such as Muhyi al-Din al-Maghribi, Mu'ayyid al-Din al-'Urdi, Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi, and Hulagu's Chinese astronomer Fao Munji, whose Chinese astronomical experience brought improvements to the Ptolemaic system used by al-Tusi. After 12 years of intense work by al-Tusi and other scientists, including Mu’yed al-Din al-Arad-Najmedin Cathy, Najmd al-Din Qazvini, Allame Qutbuddin Shirazi, and Fakhruddin Maraghi, their works were compiled in the Zij-i Ilkhani.[4] The astronomical tables were published during the reign of Abaqa Khan, Hulagu's son, and were named after the patron of the observatory.

The stagnation and downturn of the Maragheh observatory began in the late 13th century.[15] After al-Tusi's death in 1274, his son took over as director.[15] However, the major blow came when the observatory lost its patronage after the deaths of Hulagu in 1265 and his son Abaqa in 1282.[15] Over time the site turned to ruins as a result of frequent earthquakes and a lack of funding. Over centuries of enduring conflict in the region, the contents of the observatory's library were stolen or destroyed.[5] Shah Abbas the Great of Persia arranged for repair sometime in the early 17th century, but the Shah died before the restoration could begin.[citation needed] The observatory became inactive by the beginning of the 14th century, but the design of the observatory influenced several other observatories, including the Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand.

A celestial globe from the observatory made around 1279 is now preserved in Dresden, Germany.[citation needed] It is a rare example of decorative art from Iran of the 13th century, designed by al-Urdi and made of bronze inlaid with silver and gold.

Draft for revised Description section:
The observatory complex was composed of a main building, five circular buildings containing observational instruments, living quarters, a metalworking station, a tower, and a library.[3] It is believed that at one time the library held over 400,000 volumes of literature related to astronomy and astrology.[4] These buildings were made mainly of clay, brick, and mud.[4]

The main building is circular with a diameter of 22 m.[4] The entrance was 1.5 m wide and opened to a hallway that was 3.1 m wide that marked the meridian line.[4] There were six rooms on either side of the hallway.[3] The tower was in a 340 × 135 m citadel-like area and was four-stories, circular, and made of stone with a diameter of 28 m.[4]

The mural quadrant was housed within, and was a substantial part of, the main building. The mural quadrant was used to observe the positions of the stars and planets and was aligned with the meridian built into the structure. This meridian served as the prime meridian for the tables in the Zij-i Ilkhani. In total the observatory spans an area of 150 m by 350 m.[5] Today, considerable parts of the groundwork from these structures are preserved in the ruins.

Due to recent discoveries and unearthing of the foundation of the observatory they have found that its construction has helped set the basis for other known observatories. The size, extravagance, and effectiveness of the observatory impressed one Ulugh-Bey such that he established a similar observatory in Samarqand in the 14th century.[citation needed] Ulugh-Bey's observatory was in turn used as a model for even some European observatories, such as Kepler's.[6]

New Addition; Not Sure Where it Will be Placed Yet
In the 1970s, excavation at the site was begun by P. Vardjavand and an Iranian archeology team.[citation] 16 original constructs were uncovered during the excavation, which ceased after the Iranian Islamic Revolution.[citation] The ruins are little more than the remnants of foundations, while only 5.5 meters of the once substantial mural quadrant remains.[citation]