Maragha Observatory

Timeline

1. 1259–1270Maragha · East Azerbaijan ProvinceAfter conquering the Assassins' fortresses, Hulegu built an observatory at Maragha; Nasir al-Din al-Tusi brought a team of scholars, installed large mural quadrants and armillary spheres, and began systematic observation and preparations for calendar reform.
2. 1270–1280Maragha · East Azerbaijan ProvinceIn 1272 al-Tusi completed the Zij-i Ilkhani, revising planetary models using long-term observational data; scholars from Syria, Mesopotamia, and China joined the discussions, making Maragha a hub of cross-cultural astronomical exchange.
3. 1300–1310Maragha · East Azerbaijan ProvinceAfter al-Tusi's death, successor scholars maintained observations, but civil strife in the Ilkhanate and reduced patronage in the early 14th century shrank activity; the Maragha school's mathematical astronomy tradition spread to Central Asia and Anatolia through emigrating scholars.
4. 1310–1420Samarkand · UzbekistanMaragha's astronomical models and instrument designs were transmitted by scholars to the Timurid-era Samarkand observatory, and indirectly influenced European astronomers such as Copernicus in rethinking the Ptolemaic system, becoming an emblematic facility of Islam's Golden Age of science.