Ibn al-Haytham

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Ibn al-Haytham (c. 965 – c. 1040), also known by the Latinized name Alhazen, was a Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physicist of the Islamic Golden Age. He is often referred to as the "father of modern optics", for his significant contributions to the principles of optics and visual perception in particular, his model of vision, and his experimental approach to science. His most famous work, Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics), written around 1015–1021, had a profound impact on Western science, notably on the works of Johannes Kepler, Roger Bacon, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Life

Little is known about Ibn al-Haytham's early life. He was born in Basra, now in modern-day Iraq, around 965. He is believed to have been of Arab descent. Ibn al-Haytham first made a name for himself in the field of mathematics and astronomy in Basra before moving to Cairo, Egypt, under the patronage of the Fatimid Caliph, Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. It was in Cairo that he composed his most famous works.

Contributions to Optics

Ibn al-Haytham's Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) is his most significant contribution to science. In it, he was the first to explain that vision occurs when light reflects off an object and then passes to one's eyes. He conducted various experiments with lenses, mirrors, refraction, and reflection, and was the first to argue that vision occurs in the brain, rather than in the eyes. His work corrected misconceptions about vision that had been held since the time of Ptolemy.

Methodology

Ibn al-Haytham is also noted for his application of the scientific method, emphasizing experimentation and deduction to build theories. His approach laid the groundwork for the modern scientific method.

Mathematics

In addition to his work in optics, Ibn al-Haytham made contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. He worked on the beginnings of the theory of analytic geometry and was involved in various engineering projects, including attempts to regulate the flooding of the Nile River.

Legacy

Ibn al-Haytham's work had a significant influence on both the Islamic world and Europe. His Book of Optics was translated into Latin in the 12th century and became a standard text in European universities until the 17th century. His emphasis on empirical evidence and the scientific method greatly influenced later scientists such as Roger Bacon, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton. Today, he is considered a pioneer in the field of optics and a key figure in the history of the scientific method.

See Also

• History of optics
• Islamic Golden Age
• Scientific method