Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

An International Conference called "The History, Current State of Mathematics and Astronomy and a Look into the Future" on the 740th death anniversary of a medieval scientist, Nasiraddin Tusi kicked off in Baku on September 10.

The three-day conference is being held at Azerbaijan University and the Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory named after Nasiraddin Tusi of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science (ANAS).

The conference is attended by 22 scholars from various countries, including Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan.

Addressing the opening event, ANAS Vice President Akif Hajiyev spoke about the outstanding philosopher's achievements.

The influence of the prominent astronomer's creativity on formation of Azerbaijani mathematical schools are being discussed at the conference.

Director of Mathematics and Mechanics Institute, professor Misir Mardanov noted that many scholars are of the opinion that the Tusi was originally a Turk.

Nasiraddin Tusi was an Azerbaijan's great astronomer, biologist, chemist, philosopher, physician and mathematician of XIII century.

There are about 150 treatises and letters by Nasiraddin Tusi, 25 of which were written in Persian, and the rest - in Arabic. There is even a treatise on geomancy, which Tusi wrote in Arabic, Persian and Turkish, demonstrating his skills in all three languages.

The largest Maraga observatory in the world of that time was founded mainly by Nasiraddin Tusi in Tebriz in 1259.