Kurds are a Muslim-majority Indo-European ethnic group who live in the Middle East. They number about 35 millions according to the Kurdish Institute of Paris.
These people enjoy a long history of Islamic heritage and they’ve contributed a lot to the Islamic Civilization. Several renowned Muslim imams, scholars, intellectuals, scientists and warriors were Kurdish.
One example of these great Muslim intellects is the polymath Abu’l-Fida. This prince was an astronomer, geographer, biologist, philosopher and a historian. He governed Hama in Syria during the Ayyubid Dynasty in the 14th century.
Abu’l-Fida was born in Damascus, Syria. During childhood, he devoted himself to studying the Holy Qur’an and different natural sciences. Moreover, he was a brave warlord and a strategist.
The Muslim World was passing by harsh times of mongol and crusader attacks during his time. However, Abu’l-Fida’s reign in Syria which spanned over 20 years was tranquil, splendid and devoted to good governance. Besides, he has fulfilled the several works for he is famed.
In appreciation to his scientific achievements, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a lunar crater after his name ‘Abulfeda’.
Up To the Moon
Abulfeda is a lunar impact crater located in the central highlands of the Moon. To the northeast is the crater Descartes, and to the south-southeast is Almanon. To the north is the crater Dollond.
There’s a chain of craters named the Catena Abulfedaruns between the southern rim of Abulfeda and the north rim of Almanon. Then, it continues for a length of 210 km across the Rupes Altai.
Both the south and northeast sides of Abulfeda crater rim are overlain by multiple small craterlets. The inner wall is noticeably wider in the east, and shallow and worn to the north.
Astronomers found that either ejecta from the Mare Imbrium or basaltic lava has resurfaced the crater’s floor. It’s relatively smooth and featureless. The crater lacks a central rise at the midpoint.
Moreover, the inner sides appear to have been somewhat smoothed down. That’s most likely as a result of minor bombardment and seismic shaking from other impacts in the vicinity.
The crater’s diameter is 62 km and its depth is 3.1 km. If you’d like to observe the crater yourself using a telescope, its Selenographic coordinates on the surface of the Moon are 13.8°S 13.9°E.
