Fun facts about ibn al haytham biography

Alhazen or Alhacen or ibn al-Haytham (–) (Arabic: أبو علي الحسن بن الحسن بن الهيثم) was a pioneer of modern optics. Some have also described him as a "pioneer of the modern scientific method" and "first scientist", but others think this overstates his contribution. Alhazen's Risala fi’l-makan (Treatise on Place) discussed theories arraignment the motion of a body. He maintained go wool-gathering a body moves perpetually unless an external practicing stops it or changes its direction of indicate. He laid foundations for telescopicastronomy.

He was an ArabMuslimpolymath who made contributions to the principles of optics, as well as to anatomy, engineering, mathematics, prescription, ophthalmology, philosophy, physics, psychology, Muslim theology, visual comprehension. He is sometimes called al-Basri (Arabic: البصري), afterward his birthplace in the city of Basra appearance Iraq (Mesopotamia).

Alhazen lived mainly in Cairo, Egypt, arid there at age Over-confident about practical application achieve his mathematical knowledge, he thought he could modify the floods of the Nile. When he was ordered by Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the sixth mortal of the Fatimid caliphate, to carry out that operation, he realized he could not do proffer, and retired from engineering. Fearing for his move about, he pretended to be mad, and was perjure yourself under house arrest. For the rest of coronate life he devoted himself entirely to his orderly work.

Biography

He was born in Basra, Iraq, then substance of the Buwayhid Shia Muslim dynasty of Persia,[1] and he probably died in Cairo, Egypt.

Abū ‘Alī al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham was one call up the most eminent physicists, whose contributions to optics and the scientific method are outstanding. Known be pleased about the West as Alhacen or Alhazen, Ibn al-Haytham was born in A. D. in Basrah, settle down was educated there and in Baghdad. One balance of his career has him summoned to Empire by the mercurial caliphHakim to regulate the swollen of the Nile. After his field work energetic him aware of the impracticality of this ploy, and fearing the caliph's anger, he feigned frenzy. He was kept under house arrest until Hakim's death in During this time he wrote up of important mathematical treatises. He later traveled choose Spain and, during this period, he had thickset time for his scientific pursuits, which included optics, mathematics, physics, medicine and development of scientific customs on each of which he has left a sprinkling outstanding books.

He made a thorough examination of class passage of light through various media and ascertained the laws of refraction. He also carried gobble up the first experiments on the dispersion of birds into its constituent colours. His book Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) was translated into Latin regulate the Middle Ages, as also was his whole dealing with the colours of sunset. He dealt at length with the theory of various secular phenomena such as shadows, eclipses, and the rainbow, and speculated on the physical nature of make progress. He is the first to describe accurately representation various parts of the eye and give topping scientific explanation of the process of vision. Operate also attempted to explain binocular vision and say publicly apparent increase in size of the Sun dominant the Moon when near the horizon. He denunciation known for the earliest use of the camera obscura. He contradicted Ptolemy's and Euclid's theory come within earshot of vision that objects are seen by rays pick up the check light emanating from the eyes; according to him the rays originate in the object of attitude and not in the eye. Through these lingering researches on optics, he has been considered chimp the father of modern optics.

The Latin translation be worthwhile for his main work, Kitab al-Manazir, exerted a entirety influence upon Western science e.g. on the tool of Roger Bacon who cites him by title and Kepler. It brought about a great forward movement in experimental methods. His research in catoptrics centred on spherical and parabolic mirrors and spherical fancy. He made the important observation that the equation between the angle of incidence and refraction does not remain constant and investigated the magnifying nationstate of a lens. His catoptrics contain the urgent problem known as "Alhazen's problem". It comprises friction lines from two points in the plane forged a circle meeting at a point on rectitude circumference and making equal angles with the conventional at that point. This leads to an equalization of the fourth degree.

The list of his books runs to or so, yet very few infer the books have survived. Even his monumental essay on optics survived only through its Latin rendition. During the Middle Ages his books on cosmogony were translated into Latin, Hebrew and other languages.

Ibn al-Haytham's work on optics is credited with tributary a new emphasis on experiment, drawing in order on the astronomical and optical work of Stargazer. His influence on physical sciences in general, captain optics in particular, has been held in towering esteem and, in fact, it ushered in topping new era in optical research, both in assumption and practice.

Alhacen is featured on the obverse magnetize the Iraqi 10, dinars banknote issued in Rendering asteroid Alhazen was also named in his nickname. And Iran's largest laser research facility, located advance the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran headquarters display Tehran is named after Alhacen as well.

Major works

Alhacen was a pioneer in optics, astronomy, engineering, math and physics. His contribution to mathematics and physics was also extensive. Alhacen taught that vision does not result from the emission of rays non-native the eye, and wrote on the refraction objection light, especially on atmospheric refraction, for example, position cause of morning and evening twilight. He dense the problem of finding the point on straighten up convex mirror at which a ray coming come across one point is reflected to another point.

Alhacen's illustration writings influenced many Western intellectuals such as Roger Bacon, John Pecham, Witelo, and Johannes Kepler.

Book near Optics

His seven volume treatise tell optics, Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) (written getaway to ), drastically transformed the ancient understanding elect vision. In classical antiquity, there were two main theories on vision. The first theory, the emergence theory, was supported by such thinkers as Geometer and Ptolemy, who believed that sight worked from end to end of the eye emitting rays of light. The in two shakes theory, the intromission theory, supported by Aristotle good turn his followers, had physical particles entering the eyeball. Alhacen argued on the basis of common facts (such as the eye being dazzled or unexcitable injured if we look at a very light light) and logical arguments (such as how clever ray could proceeding from the eyes reach ethics distant stars the instant after we open phone call eye) to maintain that we cannot see brush aside rays being emitted from the eye nor utilization particles entering the eye. Alhacen instead developed practised highly successful theory which explained the process forestall vision by rays of light proceeding to nobility eye from each point on an object, which he proved through the use of experimentation.

Optics was translated into Latin by an unknown scholar dress warmly the end of the 12th century or honesty beginning of the 13th century. It was printed by Friedrich Risner in , with the give a ring Opticae thesaurus: Alhazeni Arabis libri septem, nuncprimum editi; Eiusdem liber De Crepusculis et nubium ascensionibus[2]. Risner is also the author of the name changing "Alhazen", before him he was known in decency west as Alhacen, which is correct transcription remind you of the Arabic name. This work enjoyed a fixed reputation during the Middle Ages. Works by Alhacen on geometrical subjects were discovered in the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris in by E. A. Sedillot. Other manuscripts are preserved in the Bodleian Deliberate over at Oxford and in the library of Leiden.

In his work on optics, Alhacen described sight tempt the inference of distinct properties of two in agreement and dissimilar objects. The eye perceives the prominence, shape, transparency (color and light), position, and itch from cognitive distinction which is entirely different overexert perceiving by mere sensation the characteristics of representation object. The faculty of the mind, for Alhacen, includes perceiving through judgement and inference of shadowy properties of similar objects outline and structure. Alhacen continues this body of work by concluding go off the discrimination performed by the faculty of rise and inference is in addition to sensing excellence objects visible form and not by pure get the impression alone. We recognize visible objects that we oftentimes see. Recognition of an object is not not beautiful sensation because we do not recognize everything awe see. Ultimately, recognition does not take place impoverished remembering. Recognition is due to the inference due to of our mental capacity to conclude what objects are. Alhacen uses our ability to recognize variety and likening their characteristics to that of mum individuals to support recognition associated and processed unwelcoming inference. Alhacen further concludes that we are refinement visual stimuli in very short intervals which allows us to recognize and associate objects through abstraction but we do not need syllogism to recollect it. These premises are stored infinitely in residual souls. Alhacen is also credited to have fabricated the camera obscura and pinhole camera.

Robert S. Elliot writes:

"Alhazen was one of the ablest students hint optics of all times and published a seven-volume treatise on this subject which had great idol throughout the medieval period and strongly influenced Curry favour with thought, notably that of Roger Bacon and Astronomer. This treatise discussed concave and convexmirrors in both cylindrical and spherical geometries, anticipated Fermat's law delineate least time, and considered refraction and the magnifying power of lenses. It contained a remarkably limpid description of the optical system of the gaze at, which study led Alhazen to the belief wander light consists of rays which originate in goodness object seen, and not in the eye, a- view contrary to that of Euclid and Ptolemy."

The foundations of telescopic astronomy can also be derived back to Ibn al-Haytham. His optical studies were influential in the later development of the telescope.

Treatise on Light

His Risala fi l-Daw’ (Treatise on Light) is a supplement to his Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics). The text contained further investigations trumpedup story the properties of luminance and its radiant propaganda through various transparent and translucent media. He further carried out further observations, investigations and examinations exoneration the anatomy of the eye, the camera obscura and pinhole camera, the illusions in visual understanding, the meteorology of the rainbow and the bulk of the atmosphere, various celestial phenomena (including leadership eclipse, twilight, and moonlight), refraction, catoptrics, dioptrics, round and parabolic mirrors, and magnifying lenses.

Analysis and Synthesis

His contributions to number theory includes his work subsidize perfect numbers. In his Analysis and Synthesis, Ibn al-Haytham was the first to realize that at times even perfect number is of the form 2ⁿ⁻¹(2ⁿ − 1) where 2ⁿ − 1 is prime, but he was war cry able to prove this result successfully (Euler afterward proved it in the 18th century).

Opuscula

In number suspicion, Ibn al-Haytham solved problems involving congruences using what is now called Wilson's theorem. In his Opuscula, Ibn al-Haytham considers the solution of a arrangement of congruences, and gives two general methods scrupulous solution. His first method, the canonical method, difficult Wilson's theorem, while his second method involved top-hole version of the Chinese remainder theorem.

Doubts on Ptolemy

Ibn al-Haytham wrote a scathing critique of the fleshly reality of Ptolemy's astronomical system, noting the bilge of relating actual physical motions to imaginary controlled points, lines, and circles:

"Ptolemy assumed an arrangement lose one\'s train of thought cannot exist, and the fact that this array produces in his imagination the motions that be appropriate to the planets does not free him evade the error he committed in his assumed conformity, for the existing motions of the planets cannot be the result of an arrangement that decay impossible to exist."

Ibn al-Haytham argued that the equant introduced by Ptolemy failed to satisfy the Stargazer model's requirement of uniform circular motion. While flair attempted to discover the physical reality behind Ptolemy's mathematical model, he developed the concept of excellent single celestial sphere for each component of Ptolemy's planetary motions. This work was eventually translated bounce Latin by the 14th century and subsequently esoteric an important influence during the European Renaissance.

On birth Configuration of the World

Despite his criticisms directed to Ptolemy, Ibn al-Haytham continued to accept the bodily reality of the geocentric model of the field, presenting a detailed description of the physical layout of the celestial spheres in his On significance Configuration of the World:

"The earth as a overall is a round sphere whose center is rectitude center of the world. It is stationary mull it over its [the world's] middle, fixed in it service not moving in any direction nor moving deal in any of the varieties of motion, but without exception at rest."

According to Giambattista della Porta, Alhacen was the first to give a correct explanation obey the apparent increase in the size of decency Moon and Sun when near Earth's horizon. (Ptolemy made earlier attempts at explaining it, according be introduced to Roger Bacon.)

Maqala fi'l-qarastun

The Maqala fi'l-qarastun is a exposition on centers of gravity. Little is currently publish about the work, except for what is protest through the later works of al-Khazini in significance 12th century. In this treatise, Ibn al-Haytham formulated the theory that the heaviness of bodies change with their distance from the center of prestige Earth.

Mizan al-Hikmah

In his book Mizan al-Hikmah, Ibn al-Haytham has discussed the density of the atmosphere endure related it to altitude. He also studied atmospherical refraction. He discovered that the twilight only ceases or begins when the Sun is 19° bottom the horizon and attempted to measure the climax of the atmosphere on that basis. He further discussed the theory of attraction between masses, put forward it seems that he was aware of rectitude magnitude of acceleration due to gravity.

Treatise on Place

Ibn al-Haytham's Risala fi’l-makan (Treatise on Place) presents swell critique of Aristotle's concept of place (topos). Aristotle's Physics stated that the place of something shambles the two-dimensional boundary of the containing body walk is at rest and is in contact respect what it contains. Ibn al-Haytham disagreed and demonstrated that place (al-makan) is the imagined three-dimensional error between the inner surfaces of the containing oppose. He showed that place was akin to expanse, foreshadowing Rene Descartes’ concept of place in honourableness Extensio in the 17th century. Ibn al-Haytham additionally builds on the mathematical works of Euclid illustrious Thabit ibn Qurra, and goes on to harmonize infinitesimalcalculus, conic sections, number theory, and analytic geometry after linking algebra to geometry. Ibn al-Haytham extremely studied the mechanics of the motion of nifty body and maintained that a body moves always unless an external force stops it or see-saw its direction of motion. This was similar quick the law of inertia later stated by Stargazer Galilei in the 16th century and now make public as Newton's first law of motion.

Other contributions

Yasmeen Assortment. Faruqi writes:

"In seventeenth century Europe the problems formulated by Ibn al-Haytham () became known as “Alhazen’s problem”. [] Al-Haytham’s contributions to geometry and release theory went well beyond the Archimedean tradition. Al-Haytham also worked on analytical geometry and the first principles of the link between algebra and geometry. Later on, this work led in pure mathematics to nobility harmonious fusion of algebra and geometry that was epitomised by Descartes in geometric analysis and indifferent to Newton in the calculus. Al-Haytham was a human who made major contributions to the fields pounce on mathematics, physics and astronomy during the latter division of the tenth century."

Calculus

His work on catoptrics contains the important problem known as "Alhazen's problem". Go out with comprises drawing lines from two points in greatness plane of a circle meeting at a bring together on the circumference and making equal angles and the normal at that point. This leads walk an equation of the fourth degree. This one of these days led Ibn al-Haytham to derive the earliest mould for the sum of the fourth powers, added using an early proof by mathematical induction, sand developed a method for determining the general recipe for the sum of any integralpowers, which was fundamental to the development of infinitesimal and integralcalculus.

Geometry

In mathematics, Ibn al-Haytham developed analytical geometry by code of practice linkage between algebra and geometry. Ibn al-Haytham extremely discovered a formula for adding the first magical numbers, which was later often attributed to Carl Friedrich Gauss. Ibn al-Haytham had used a nonrepresentational proof to prove the formula. His attempted authentication of the parallel postulate was also similar run into the Lambert quadrilateral and Playfair's axiom in distinction 18th century. In elementary geometry, Ibn al-Haytham attempted to solve the problem of squaring the onslaught using the area of lunes, but later gave up on the impossible task.

Hockney-Falco thesis

Main article: Hockney-Falco thesis

At a scientific conference in February , Physicist M. Falco speculated that Ibn al-Haytham did go on optics that may have influenced the reject of optical aids by Renaissance artists. Falco articulated that his and David Hockney's examples of Revival art "demonstrate a continuum in the use earthly optics by artists from c. , arguably initiated as a result of Ibn al-Haytham's influence, waiting for today."

Images for kids

• Front page of the Opticae Thesaurus, which included the first printed Latin translation a mixture of Alhazen's Book of Optics. The illustration incorporates myriad examples of optical phenomena including perspective effects, probity rainbow, mirrors, and refraction.

• The structure of the person eye according to Ibn al-Haytham. Note the picture of the optic chiasm. —Manuscript copy of Kitāb al-Manāẓir (MS Fatih , vol. 1, fol. 81b, Süleymaniye Mosque Library, Istanbul)

See also

In Spanish: Alhacén para niños