The Timbuktu Scholar Who Studied the Stars

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable astronomical tradition of Timbuktu. Long before telescopes, scholars like Ahmad al-Takruri and others at the Sankore madrasa were calculating planetary movements, predicting eclipses, and debating the nature of the cosmos. Drawing on manuscript evidence such as the “Mir’at al-‘Alam” (Mirror of the Universe) by Muhammad al-Wangari, we uncover a sophisticated scientific culture that blended Islamic astronomy with local observation. We discuss the instruments they used, the debates they had about astrology versus astronomy, and how this legacy was almost lost during the 2012 occupation. Join us for a journey into the skies of the Sahel. #Timbuktu #Astronomy #Sankore #MuhammadAlWangari #MiratAlAlam #AhmadAlTakruri #MaliEmpire #Songhai #IslamicScience #Manuscripts #Sahel #Astrology #Eclipse #Astrolabe #AlZarqali #AlBattani #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo