MUSCAT: The Omani astronomical calculator Saleh bin Obaid al Saleh passed away on Tuesday after a life dedicated to astronomy and astronomical calculations. Al Saleh laid down the first modern Hijri calendar for the Sultanate of Oman, in 1400 AH (1979).
Al Saleh had a great passion for astronomical calculation and scientific research to which he devoted the entirety of his life and work. His academic journey began in 1958 when he enrolled at the Qatar Model Primary School in Qatar. Although he did not receive formal training in astronomy and astronomical calculations during his educational travels to Qatar and Egypt, he acquired wide knowledge in this field through personal interest and independent research.
The deceased made his achievements by monitoring the movement of the sun which enabled him to lay down prayer timetables. He observed the star Suhail, the houses of the zodiac, and the houses of the moon to prepare his Hijri calendar. His scientific contributions extended to the agricultural field, where he prepared an agricultural calendar which is kept at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. A copy of it was also sent to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), with the aim of identifying the appropriate times for planting and harvesting, according to specific calculations of the agricultural seasons.
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