BİRİNCİ FEN · İKİNCİ BÂB · İKİNCİ FASIL · Dördüncü Madde
Fourth Article
Describes the zodiacal sphere and the distances and magnitudes of the fixed stars contained within it.
Esteemed one! It must be known that observers, geometers, and mathematicians have reached a consensus regarding the sizes and distances of the spheres, which can be calculated and ascertained with scientific data yielding definitive results concerning the stars. For example, they know that the length of the surface of the great sphere is equal to the distance to the outer convex surface of the zodiacal sphere. And they have found that this distance is approximately thirty-three thousand times one thousand and five hundred twenty-five thousand eight hundred eighty-one (33,525,881) *farsakhs* from the center of the universe.
They have calculated and determined that each *farsakh* is three miles, each mile is three thousand *ziras*, and each *zirā* is thirty-two fingerbreadths wide. They calculate and determine the distances in the realm of bodies by using these measurements, estimating each fingerbreadth to be approximately six grains of barley and each grain of barley to be the width of six hairs of a horse’s mane.
They have found that the distance from the center of the universe (as mentioned above) to the inner surface of the zodiacal sphere is approximately thirty-three thousand times one thousand and five hundred ten thousand four hundred fifty (33,510,450) *farsakhs*, and they have determined the thickness of the zodiacal sphere to be approximately fifteen thousand four hundred thirty-one (15,431) *farsakhs*.
The fixed stars are assessed in six distinct divisions, named as the first magnitude, second magnitude, third magnitude, fourth magnitude, fifth magnitude, and sixth magnitude.
The sides of the first magnitude are equated to and equal in number to the thickness of the zodiacal sphere, found to be fifteen thousand four hundred thirty-one (15,431) *farsakhs*. They explain the masses of the stars therein by comparison to the earth.
Thus, they estimate and determine that the bodies of the first magnitude are approximately six and a half times the size of an Earth body, the bodies of the second magnitude are five and a half times that of Earth's bodies, the bodies of the third magnitude are four and a half times the amount of an Earth body, the bodies of the fourth magnitude are three and a half times an Earth body, the bodies of the fifth magnitude are two and a half times an Earth body, and the bodies of the sixth magnitude are one and a half times an Earth body.
The scholars have substantiated these claims with certain geometric proofs and presented their calculations.
They observed and ascertained that all fixed stars and planets move around their own centers, rotating within their designated orbits.
Thus, they became aware of the subtlety of the meaning contained in the saying, "Nothing rests upon the spheres."
We glorify the Creator, the Wise in what He created, the Mighty, without beginning, whose glory is beyond the comprehension of intellects.
*[Footnotes omitted for brevity]*