Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī

Who was Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī?

Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm ibn Yaḥyā al-Naqqāsh al-Zarqālī, also known as Al-Zarqali or Ibn Zarqala, was a Muslim instrument maker, astrologer, and one of the leading astronomers of his time. Although his name is conventionally given as al-Zarqālī, it is probable that the correct form was al-Zarqālluh. In Latin he is referred to as Arzachel or Arsechieles, a modified form of Arzachel, meaning 'the engraver'. He lived in Toledo in Castile, Al-Andalus, moving to Córdoba later in his life. His works inspired a generation of Islamic astronomers in Andalusia.

The crater Arzachel on the Moon is named after him.