Why was astronomy so important to the Arab people?

Answer 1

The Arab people began to expand their studies in astronomy in the era of Islamic widespread. In this era, Muslims paid allot of attention to seeking science in general.

In addition to astronomy, they also founded many other sciences such as Medicine, Algebra(which derived its name from the Arabic word Aljabr), Philosophy,Mathematics,..etc.

you may want to take a look at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Arab_scientists_and_scholars

Answer 2

For the Arabs, unlike the babylonians, the knowledge of the location of the stars was primarily important for Navigation purposes.
The Arabs, being a nomadic people had to navigate by the stars since the featureless desert provided no land marks to go by. Also, the Arabs did not practive agriculture, but derived their food from herding and hunting. It was the agricultural people of the time such as the Babylonians and Egyptions who used celestial info for planting and seasonal events such as the flooding of the Nile.

Adolph

Answer 3

Astronomy in THOSE times ALSO included Astrology... So the Ancient Peoples of the Middle East used the day & night skies- both as a Clock & Calendar- AND as a means to "predict" the future. Observing the Sky was an integral part of Every Day life... -because it helped frame peoples actions.

Answer 4

The studying of the stars helped in the agricultural productivity for the Arab people

Answer 5

Astronomy was of use to the early Arabs for
determination of planting and harvest seasons,
and for navigation, both sea and land.
They traveled the deserts and seas.
Even with primitive equipment, (Cross Staff
Back Staff, etc.), it is possible to determine
latitude with fair accuracy.

Answer 6

The full moon represent the 15th of the Arabic month

Answer 7

they needed to tell time and the days they used it as a calinder to know when to plant crops.