Book of Optics (Kitāb al-Manāzir)

The "Book of Optics" (Kitāb al-Manāzir), written by the medieval Persian scientist Ibn al-Haytham, is a foundational work on understanding light and vision. It explores how light travels, how we see objects, and the ways our eyes perceive colors and shapes. Ibn al-Haytham challenged previous ideas by explaining that vision occurs when light reflects off objects and enters our eyes, rather than rays emanating from the eyes. His work laid the groundwork for modern optics, influencing developments in lens design, telescopes, and cameras, and marks a significant step in the scientific study of optics and visual perception.