Astronomy & Islam

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Sun, 16/09/2007 - 22:18
Lorna
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Astronomy and Islam
20th September 2007
7pm*
venue: ScottishPower Planetarium, Glasgow Science Centre
ticket price: £4.95
booking line: 0871 540 1000
Please note that this event starts with a star show at 7pm, there is then a short break for complimentary refreshments as some members of the audience may be observing Ramadhan.

Join Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society and Dr Usama Hasan as they chart the fascinating story of Islamic astronomy to commemorate Ramadhan, under the glittering stars of Glasgow Science Centre’s planetarium

Dr Massey will use the magical technology of the planetarium to demonstrate how different calendar systems from around the globe connect to the Sun, Moon and stars. The thought –provoking talk includes a beautiful star show under the glittering dome– showing just how the Sun changes its position over the course of the year and how the Moon changes its phases every month.

Dr Hasan will explore the Islamic lunar-based calendar (also known as a Hegiran calendar). The Islamic calendar is a *pure lunar calendar - one which has a year which does not follow the seasons. There are 12 lunar months in a year of about 354 days - about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Muslim holy days, although celebrated on set dates in their own calendar, usually occur 11 days earlier each solar year. Dr Hasan will examine just why this is such a crucial issue for contemporary Islam.
ends

About the ScottishPower Planetarium

The ScottishPower Planetarium offers the chance to see a night sky as it should be seen, with thousands of points of light above us. Most city-dwellers have never seen a clear night sky, as light pollution is now a serious problem throughout the Western world. The controlled environment of the ScottishPower Planetarium with its amazing Zeiss Starmaster projector enables us to look afresh at the canopied heavens.

FURTHER MEDIA INFORMATION FROM GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE’S PRESS OFFICE. CONTACT CLAIRE GEMSON, TELEPHONE 0141 420 5034 e: claire.gemson@glasgowsciencecentre.org

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