# Ibn al-Haytham > Persian physicist, mathematician and astronomer (c. 965 – c. 1040) **Wikidata**: [Q11104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11104) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_al-Haytham) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ibn-al-haytham ## Summary Ibn al-Haytham was born in 965 in Basra [1][2][3][4][5][6] and died in 1038 in Cairo [7][1][4][6]. He was a mathematician, physicist, philosopher, astronomer, inventor, and astrologer [7] who practiced the religion of Islam .His primary field of work was physics . Among his notable works are the Book of Optics and Doubts Concerning Ptolemy . ## Summary Ibn al-Haytham, also known as Alhazen, was a Persian physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who lived from approximately 965 to 1040. He is most renowned for his foundational work in the field of optics, particularly his Book of Optics, which revolutionized the understanding of light and vision. ## Biography - Born: c. 965, Basra (historical region of Persia, modern-day Iraq) - Nationality: Persian - Education: Trained in mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy; no specific institutions mentioned - Known for: Foundational contributions to optics, including the Book of Optics - Employer(s): Worked under the Fatimid Caliphate, possibly in Cairo - Field(s): Physics, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, philosophy ## Contributions Ibn al-Haytham made several key contributions to science and mathematics: - **Book of Optics**: Authored the *Book of Optics* (Kitab al-Manazir), an influential 11th-century treatise that redefined the understanding of light, vision, and perception. This work established the scientific method for studying optics and influenced later European scholars including Roger Bacon and Johannes Kepler. - **Alhazen's problem**: Developed a mathematical problem in geometrical optics that became known as "Alhazen's problem", which involves finding the point on a spherical mirror where a ray will reflect to an observer from a given light source. This problem has had lasting influence in mathematical and optical studies. - **Influence on later science**: His work significantly shaped the development of the scientific method and experimental approach in the physical sciences. ## FAQs ### Who was Ibn al-Haytham? He was a Persian physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who lived from around 965 to 1040. He is widely recognized for his contributions to optics, mathematics, and the scientific method. ### What is the *Book of Optics*? It is a 11th-century treatise by Ibn al-Haytham that fundamentally changed the understanding of light and vision. It is considered one of the most important works in the history of optics. ### What is "Alhazen's problem"? This is a mathematical problem in geometrical optics that involves determining the point on a spherical mirror where a light ray from a given source will reflect to an observer. It is a classic problem in the study of optics and has been widely studied. ### What fields did Ibn al-Haytham contribute to? He was active in physics, mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. His work also touched on philosophy and the development of the scientific method. ### What is the significance of the name "Alhazen"? It is one of the many aliases of Ibn al-Haytham and is also the name of a lunar crater and an asteroid (59239 Alhazen), honoring his scientific legacy. ### What did Ibn al-Haytham invent or discover? Ibn al-Haytham is most known for his work in the field of optics, particularly his *Book of Optics*, which laid the foundation for the modern science of vision and light. He also formulated the mathematical "Alhazen's problem" in geometrical optics. ## Why They Matter Ibn al-Haytham's work fundamentally altered the study of optics by introducing a rigorous experimental approach that influenced the development of the scientific method. His *Book of Optics* was a cornerstone in the development of physical and physiological optics, influencing later scientists like Kepler and Descartes. His approach to scientific inquiry and mathematical rigor laid the groundwork for modern experimental methods. ## Notable For - Pioneering the scientific method in optics - Authoring the *Book of Optics*, a foundational text in the history of science - Solving "Alhazen's problem", a significant mathematical challenge in optics - Being posthumously honored through the naming of the asteroid 59239 Alhazen and the lunar crater Alhazen - Being a key figure in the history of physics and scientific methodology ## Body ### Early Life and Background Ibn al-Haytham, also known by the names Alhacen, Alhazen, and Ptolemaeus Secundus, was born around 965 in Basra, Persia (modern-day Iraq). He was a polymath, excelling in the fields of physics, mathematics, and astronomy. He is often referred to as "The Physicist" and also known by the epithets al-Baṣrī and al-Miṣrī, indicating his association with Basra and Egypt. ### Career and Major Works Ibn al-Haytham worked under the Fatimid Caliphate, where he was involved in a wide range of scientific and mathematical pursuits. His most significant work, the *Book of Optics*, was completed during this period and remains a foundational text in the study of light and vision. He is also known for his work on "Alhazen's problem", a mathematical challenge in geometrical optics. ### Influence and Legacy Ibn al-Haytham's *Book of Optics* was a revolutionary work that influenced the development of the scientific method. His approach to experimental science, particularly in the field of optics, influenced later European scientists such as Johannes Kepler and René Descartes. His work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of how light behaves and how vision works, moving away from the speculative theories of earlier thinkers like Ptolemy and Aristotle. ### Scientific and Mathematical Legacy Ibn al-Haytham's *Book of Optics* and "Alhazen's problem" are considered among the most significant contributions to the field of optics. His influence on the scientific method and optics is widely recognized, and his work is cited as foundational by later scientists. His approach to the experimental method, particularly in optics, is seen as a cornerstone in the development of physical and physiological sciences. ### Recognition and Honors Ibn al-Haytham's contributions are commemorated in the naming of the lunar crater Alhazen and the asteroid 59239 Alhazen, both named in his honor. These names are a tribute to his lasting impact on science and astronomy. ### Summary of Key Works and Concepts - **Book of Optics**: A treatise that redefined the understanding of light and vision, and influenced the development of the scientific method. - **Alhazen's problem**: A mathematical problem in geometrical optics that has had a lasting influence in the field of mathematical physics. - **Astronomical and mathematical contributions**: His work in physics, mathematics, and the development of scientific methodology have had a lasting impact on the fields of science and engineering. ## References 1. Enciclopedia Treccani. 1933 2. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 3. BnF authorities 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. Dictionary of African Biography 6. Source 7. International Standard Name Identifier 8. CiNii Research 9. Treccani Philosophy. 2009 10. Integrated Authority File 11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 12. Trove 13. Nationalencyklopedin 14. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive 15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 16. [Source](http://www.oxfordreference.com/abstract/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-0875?rskey=O1Zc1x&result=875) 17. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Ibn%20al-Haitham) 18. BBC Things 19. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 20. LIBRIS. 2012 21. Golden 22. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 23. Catalogo of the National Library of India