Conference
Islam and science
David King, University of Frankfurt
Paola Carusi, Università La Sapienza, Rome
Moderator: Pietro Marangoni (daily newspaper Alto Adige), Bolzano

March 21 st, spring equinox, Environmental Centre Uhl Colle (in collaboration with the Centre)
Sky observation “searching for Aldebaran” and
Conference on the same theme by Sandro Bardelli, Observatory of Bologna

Two of the most famous and valuable astrolabs kept in Italian museums (that of the observatory of Bologna ascribed to Ibn Baso and from the Institute and Museum of the History of Science of Florence) have been exhibited on the occasion of "Under the Sign of Aldebaran, Islam and Science". This exhibition, organized within the project “On the Way to New Cultures”, was dedicated to the astrolab, the most sophisticated technological instrument set up by Arab scientists between the 10 th and 11 th century, and to the secrets of Islamic science from the 8 th to 15 th centuries. A unique occasion to ascertain with one’s own eyes the meaning of the saying ascribed to the Prophet Muhammad: "Those who pursue a course in search of knowledge will have the way to Paradise made easy by God ".
If space was reserved to the science of stars and to geography that played a leading role in the development of Arab knowledge, equal importance was also given to the presence of about sixty objects from the Bumiller Foundation of Bamberg in Germany, that made the sections about medical science, chemistry, physics and mathematics worth seeing, being exhibited for the first time in Italy.
To the Arab scientists we owe, among other things, the introduction of the number zero, as well as the concepts of modern algebra, trigonometry and many more subjects. The names of men of science like al-Khwarizmi, Avicennaand Averroes became points of reference for western science.
The exhibition "Under the Sign of Aldebaran" took its name from one of the brightest stars of the firmament. Various linked cultural events were also on offer to the public.
During the exhibition the documentary "Bilad Chinqit" was shown about the history of Mauritania and its University of the sand, realized by Lucio and Anna Rosa under the patronage of UNESCO.
A philatelic corner with international stamps dedicated to the great “Arabic” scientists of the past was proposed. On the occasion the Italian Post Office created a special postmark.
The exhibition catalogue is available.

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