History of Astronomy

IS THE THE MAIDEN TOWER AN ANCIENT OBSERVATORY?
THE FACTS AND HYPOTHESES.
Rustamov A.A.

For the Maiden Tower investigators,  it is possible so to consider,  an astronomical theme began the attendant theme.

Thus of the majority of authors are satisfied only with mere allegations about the astronomical observation carried out by ancient astronomers on a tower.
However, recently in researches in this direction the positive tendency has appeared. Recent work of foreign amateurs  archeologists Betty Blair and Ronnie Gallagher[1],  in which detailed researches of general orientations of Maiden Tower  on the Sun are carried out, for the first time showed the scientific approach in research of this question.
In other article of known architect David Akhundov   for the first time has appeared the reference to medieval sources - manuscripts of the medieval Azerbaijan astronomer Seid Yahya Bakuvi who is carrying out in XV century astronomical observations at the Maiden Tower .
Davud Akhundov writes, that « scientific employment of Seid Yahya Bakuvi proves, that Maiden Tower  after the arrival of  islam continued to be used as an observatory for the investigations of celestial bodies ».
However from this information it is not clear what role it was allocated in these observation itself Maiden Tower: a role of a room or an astronomical tool - construction.

The answer of the given question demands the answer to other question: whether in the before telescope epoch of astronomy were carried out, except for goniometrical measurements any other astronomical observations?

This question in the most full degree is investigated by professor Aydin Saili [3]. This author, with investigating's other the numerous facts and  data, contained in historical documents, archaeological objects and in folklore of many countries, claimed,  that during the ancient times and in the Middle Ages so-called « observation well», i.e. observation of the stars in the daytime from the bottom of a deep well , or with the help of some other equivalent structure(towers and shafts) were carried out..
The Maragha Observatory , the Jaja Bey Madrasa of Kirsehir, Anatolia, Istanbul Observatory, Samargand Observatory  and some Europe Observatories had an "observation well" and that this well was utilized for day-time observations.                         

Stambul observatory well

                                                                     
After Aydin Sayili in the modern astronomical literature to the "observation well" theme was engaged A.Minnart in the his monograph « Light and color in the nature »[4]. But, Мinnart could not will answer this question.
Let's remind, that at the deep of the wells the Sun’s light rays scattered in lateral directions from Earth atmosphere does not get, and there it becomes dark. The human eye adapting to darkness (increasing diameter of a pupil and restoring sensitivity of night sight) can raise the sensitivity up to 10000 times.
Historian Nadir Ahmadov (1987) claims that the Tower is an observatory for daytime well observation of brihgt stars and planets.
The Maiden Tower structure and height ideally fitting for "observation well" . Presence of the central shaft and dome-shaped floors at most degree reduces the influence of the scattered daylight for the daytime observations of the brighter stars. (Fig. 2). For the comparison, on figure 3 we illustrate the basic scheme of the "Hubble" Space Telescope (HST). For the space telescopes and cameras a problem of vital importance is an exception of the reflected solar illumination and the scattered zodiacal light. The role of Maiden Tower floors on the optical scheme of HST plays the special reflectors - baffles.

Certainly, it is not necessary to forget their main difference, concluding that at Maiden Tower observations the light detector is the human eye, with diameter of a pupil 0.5 sm, at HST observations - 2.5 meter mirror telescope.
It is necessary to note, that at such statement of a question, i.e. at use Maiden Tower   for daytime observation finds an explanation and such not clear element in the structure Maiden Tower, as impressive buttress wall. It could play a role of the direct baffle at the time of morning observations of bright planets through the narrow side wall splits.
For the daytime, "well" observations the main task is the possibility of choice of bright stars. Due to geographical latitude  of  Maiden Tower   (40^o22') near of its zenith were culminations  bright stars:
a Lyre(0.14^m), g Andromeda (2.28^m), b Persei (2.2^m ),
e Persei (3.96^m), g Cygni (2.32^m).
Because of precession in the beginning of A.D. in this list could enter other bright star - Cappella (0.1^m).
I want to return to a problem to orientation of southern windows. The direction of four bottom windows coincides with direction of the central meridian. Every day during a midday prayer times of moslems the sunlight through these windows will penetrate into ground floors.
However, there are also other theories of Maiden Tower. Their basic argument is the ceramic pipeline, connecting all floors. For example, according to one version [3], Maiden Tower it has been constructed for protection of children and women for what it is stipulated even sanitary units. Under other, more plausible version [2], Maiden Tower was the main thing a sun-worshipping temples and in it seven floors constantly burned gas torches.
In our opinion ceramic pipes served for a drain of rain water from open top platform Maiden Tower . Builders of a tower increasing thickness of a wall up to 5 meters tried to immortalize the tower. Therefore they could not overlook such important detail as a drain of rain water . Modern architects - builders instead of restorations of old water-waste system, on a parapet of the top platform have cut down cracks for a drain of water on an external wall downwards.
Such pitiable result such carelessness results, already it is possible sighting on the north wall of the Maiden Tower . Bricks from a stone of limestone, millenia maintaining erosion, a rain and a wind transformation to dust.

Would be guilty if not to speak about art of the Maiden Tower . The brick ribbed textured structure of the top part is applied for concealment, to hide roughness of not polished cylindrical surface of a tower. These roughness and untidiness amplifies at viewing under a corner, i.e. above. Below, at the level of eyes in an emphasis are poorly appreciable.
The ribbed brick structure below, from close distance looks roughly chaotically and ugly.