Rabat - Search engine giant Google celebrates Muslim mathematician and astronomer Abu Al-Wafa' Al-Buzjani's 1075th birthday with a doodle pinned to its website's homepage.
Rabat – Search engine giant Google celebrates Muslim mathematician and astronomer Abu Al-Wafa’ Al-Buzjani’s 1075th birthday with a doodle pinned to its website’s homepage.
“You have to do something pretty great to get a moon crater named after you,” says Google.
“His picture may not be pinned to the wall in elementary school classrooms, but it’s now pinned to the homepage of Google.com,” Google added.
Al Buzjani was born on 10 June 940 and died on 15 July 998. He is a Persian scientist with great contributions to the field of science.
He is acclaimed for his works on spherical trigonometry which was hugely influential on further studies in mathematics and astronomy.
His research also revolved around planetary theory, and ways of determining the direction of Qibla, the direction for Muslim prayers in Mecca.
“His contributions to science include one of the first known introductions to negative numbers, and the development of the first quadrant, a tool used by astronomers to examine the sky,” Google says.
The doodle’s reach covers countries in North Africa and the Middle East.
“In our innovative society, we don’t always stop to reflect on the historical figures whose work makes our own advances possible. Abu al-Wafa’s legacy demonstrates the monumental importance of some of history’s lesser known scientists,” Google added.
