IBN SINA’S OBSERVATION OF A TRANSIT OF VENUS IN 1032


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Özel M., Budding E.

Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, cilt.27, sa.1, ss.46-52, 2024 (ESCI) identifier

Özet

It has been said that the Venus transit of 24 May 1032 was observed by Ibn Sina and recorded among his written output. This was critically evaluated by Goldstein (1969), who demurred on the claim. However, Kapoor's (2013) thorough review has shown that Ibn Sina could well have observed this event, giving rise to an ongoing interest in the geocentric versus heliocentric discussion, such as was picked up by Nasr ad-Din Tusi and others. This eventually culminated in the general acceptance of the Copernican world-system. We reconsider the special circumstances of the reported discovery and show that Ibn Sina indeed could have observed the event, with a discussion of its significance along the way to a Sun-centered world.