Astronomy, cosmology and astrology on Ottoman miniatures in XVI. century

In the Ottoman Empire, astronomy developed as a continuation of the previous Islamic astronomy. The existence of astronomy studies has been known since its early years. Merega astronomy school moved to the Ottoman Empire, especially with the arrival of Shirazi to Sivas Gök madrasah. After Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul, the city was became one of the science centers. The sixteenth century is a period in which important developments were experienced in the history of Ottoman Astronomy. Especially the establishment of the Istanbul Observatory and the works of Takiyüddin make this period more valuable. The miniatures of this period are important for understanding the development of the science of astronomy of the period. However, on Miniature's this yaers was depicted tools such as astrolabe, quadran, zatü'l kursi, earth globe, celestial globe, ruler, zatü'l halak, libne, wall dial, zatü'l irfita, zatü's sukbeteyn, time wheels and how these tools were used. The use of these instruments was not limited to the Istanbul observatory, However, there has been an increase in the number of astronomy studies done after the sixteenth century. Miniatures are also important in order to reflecting the cosmological understanding of the period. When the miniatures are examined, it is seen that the Devlet-i Aliye accepted the earth-centered sphere layers system such as Islamic scholars before it. At the center of the universe is the earth, and it is surrounded by nine spheres called the ether. The first sphere has the Moon, the second sphere has Mercury and, respectively, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The next sphere is the zodiac belt, and the last sphere is called the atlas sphere and is a layer where there is no celestial objects. Astrology and celestial objects are among the other subjects depicted in miniatures. The institution of astrology, which was established in the palace since the II. Beyazıt period, is important in terms of understanding the importance given to astrology in the Devlet-i Aliye. As a matter of fact, astrological interpretations were also made in the muvakkithanes, which were used as a kind of observatory set up outside the palace. The celestial are depicted in a way that reflects their astrological characteristics on miniatures.