
The Book of Optics (Kitab al-Manazir)
The Book of Optics, or Kitab al-Manazir, is a groundbreaking work by the medieval Arab scientist Ibn al-Haytham, also known as Alhazen. Written in the 11th century, it explores the nature of light, vision, and optical phenomena. Ibn al-Haytham introduced the concept that light travels in straight lines and thoroughly studied reflection, refraction, and the behavior of lenses. His experiments laid the groundwork for modern optics and the scientific method, emphasizing observation and experimentation. This influential work paved the way for advancements in physics and vision science, highlighting the importance of rigorous inquiry.