Modeling the Moon's Motion in Al-Majisti and Its Compatibility with Modern Astronomical Models

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to analyze the lunar motion models presented in Al-Majisti and evaluate their compatibility with modern astronomical models. The modeling of lunar motion has occupied a central position in the history of astronomy because it illustrates the evolution of mathematical approaches to explaining celestial phenomena. Theoretical framework: The research is grounded in the theoretical framework of the history of astronomy, mathematical modeling, and comparative scientific analysis, which together provide a basis for examining the continuity and transformation of astronomical knowledge from antiquity to contemporary science. Literature review: Previous studies have primarily discussed the historical significance of Al-Majisti and Ptolemy's influence on Islamic astronomy, while relatively few have systematically compared its lunar motion models with modern astronomical modeling. Method: To address this gap, the present study employs a qualitative literature review using a descriptive research design and content analysis. Primary data are derived from Al-Majisti, while secondary sources include scholarly works on the history of astronomy and modern planetary theory. Results: The findings reveal that Al-Majisti contains three successive models of lunar motion, each representing a progressive refinement of mathematical representation. The third model demonstrates the highest degree of sophistication and provides the closest approximation to the Moon's observed motion. The analysis further shows that the relative simplicity and effectiveness of Ptolemy's approach stem from the geometric combination of circular motions, which enabled increasingly accurate predictions despite the limitations of ancient observational techniques. When compared with modern lunar motion models, the Ptolemaic framework exhibits remarkable conceptual consistency, although contemporary models achieve substantially greater precision through advanced mathematics and observational data. Implications: These findings highlight the enduring scientific value of Al-Majisti as a milestone in the historical development of astronomical modeling and demonstrate its contribution to the transmission of scientific knowledge into the Islamic Golden Age. Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in its systematic comparative analysis of the three lunar motion models in Al-Majisti against modern astronomical models, offering new insights into the evolution, continuity, and scientific relevance of historical astronomical thought for contemporary scholarship.