The making of astronomy in early Islam / Bernard R. Goldstein.
Abstract:
The study of astronomy in Islam began in the late eighth century with influences from Iran and India. Greek methods and texts became known in the ninth century, and led to a "renaissance" in astronomical activity, centered in Baghdad and supported by the Caliph, al-Ma'mun (among others). Despite the paucity of surviving texts, we are able to reconstruct the results produced in this period from the works of al-Bîrûnî (d. ca. 1050), and other later authors. It is noteworthy that a number of parameters were improved based on new-observations, but that the underlying models were not challenged. It is argued here (1) that the astronomers belonged to the urban learned middle class and shared their values, and (2) that in order to appreciate fully the achievements of these scientists, it is essential to gain familiarity with the context in which they worked
Nuncius A. 1, fasc. 2 (1986), p. 79-92