A Comparative Study of the Astronomical Revolution and Astronomy in the Safavid Period

The science of astronomy in Iran, like some other places in the world, has a long history. According to the internal accounts and the travelogues of the European tourists, astronomy was one of the most noted sciences for the Safavid government, and was influential in all affairs including governmental and military affairs, celebrations, and mourning ceremonies. This study uses a descriptive-analytical method relying on the primary historical sources and the travelogues of the European tourists to examine the distance between the Iranian astronomy and the scientific revolution during the Safavid rule. The study is looking to answer the question of “What was the relationship between the Iranian astronomy and the astronomical revolution in the Safavid period?” The findings of the research showed that in the Safavid period, significant political and religious changes happened in Iran. However, not all the aspects of the Iranian lifestyle changed or developed. Astronomy in the Safavid period did not undergo any significant changes contemporary with the European scientific revolution in astronomy. In fact, it was a continuation of the Islamic and Iranian astronomy traditions from the previous centuries.