On Dokuzuncu Yuzyilin Ilk Yarisinda Osmanlilarda Medrese Cevrelerinde Modern Astronomi

Abstract

The usage of the telescope for scientific purposes has significantly changed our knowledge of the structure of the Solar System. By the middle of the 19th century, two new planets, a dozen of asteroids and dozens of satellites had been added to the five known planets since the ancient times. The Ottoman scientific circles did not turn their back on these developments in the West and reflected these in their works. However, the main thesis about the transfer of current knowledge is that this transfer is mainly done by modern educational institutions and the speed was not too high. This claim is expressed in a more powerful way, especially when it comes to the madrasah environment. It is stated in the literature that the first work of the madrasah, which mentions two new planets, Uranus and Neptune, discovered in the modern period, is al-Qunawi `s Tanqih al-ashkal, written at a date after 1857. This means a delay of 76 years for Uranus and at least 11 years for Neptune. This article aims to demonstrate that the first works that mention Uranus and Neptune are not originated from modern educational institutions and there is not as much delay in the transfer of information as mentioned. In our study, it was shown that the first work that mentions Uranus is Tashil al-idrak, which was written by al-Quyujaqlizade (d. 1263/1847) in 1831, which originated from madrasah and the first work that mentions Neptune is the work of al-Khayatizade (d. 1267/1851), who again originated the madrasah, published in 1848, but was written in 1847, Afkar al-jabarrut. Thus, it is hoped that the thesis, which has a great deal of alliance, will start to be questioned based on these examples.