 , also known as al-zarqali or ibn zarqala (1029&ndash;1087), was a muslim instrument maker, astrologer, and one of the leading astronomers of his time. although his name is conventionally given as al-zarqÄlÄ«, it is probable that the correct form was al-zarqÄlluh.s.v. "al-zarqÄlÄ«", julio samsÃ³, encyclopaedia of islam, new edition, vol. 11, 2002. in latin he is referred to as arzachel or arsechieles, a modified form of arzachel, meaning 'the engraver'. he lived in toledo, al-andalus before moving to cÃ³rdoba later in his life. his works inspired a generation of islamic astronomers in al-andalus. the crater arzachel on the moon is named after him. ==early life== al-zarqÄlÄ« was born in a village near the outskirts of toledo, then the capital of the taifa of toledo.  he was trained as a metalsmith and due to his skills he was nicknamed al-nekkach "the engraver of metals"). his latinized name, 'arzachel' is formed from the arabic al-zarqali al-naqqash, meaning 'the engraver'. he was particularly talented in geometry and astronomy. he is known to have taught and visited cÃ³rdoba on various occasions his extensive experience and knowledge eventually made him the foremost astronomer of his time. al-zarqÄlÄ« was also an inventor, and his works helped to put toledo at the intellectual center of al-andalus. he is also referred to in the works of chaucer, as 'arsechieles'. in the year 1085 toledo was taken by the christian king of castile alfonso vi. al-zarqÄlÄ« and his colleagues, such as alâwaqqashi (1017â1095) of toledo, had to flee. it is unknown whether the aged al-zarqÄlÄ« fled to cordoba or died in a moorish refuge camp. his works influenced ibn bajjah (avempace), ibn tufail (abubacer), ibn rushd (averroÃ«s), ibn al-kammad, ibn alâhaim alâishbili and nur ad-din al-betrugi (alpetragius). in the 12th century, gerard of cremona translated al-zarqaliâs works into latin. he referred to al-zarqali as an astronomer and magician.  wrote a book in the 15th century on the advantages of the sahifah al-z
1029_births 1087_deaths 11th-century_astronomers 11th-century_mathematicians Astrologers_of_medieval_Islam Astronomers_of_medieval_Islam Mathematicians_of_medieval_Islam Medieval_Arab_astrologers Medieval_Arab_astronomers Medieval_Arab_mathematicians Medieval_Spanish_astrologers Medieval_Spanish_astronomers Medieval_Spanish_mathematicians People_from_Toledo,_Spain Scientific_instrument_makers