Al-Biṭrūjī's theory of the motions of the fixed stars (Q1762834)

The paper addresses the question whether al-Biṭrūjī's theory of the motions of the fixed stars is derived from the homocentric models of Eudoxos as claimed by E. S. Kennedy or is based on a projection of Ptolemy's eccentrics and epicycles into the fixed ninth sphere, as maintained by the translators of al-Biṭrūjī, Carmody and Goldstein. The author shows by a very detailed mathematical discussion of the second chapter of al-Biṭrūjī's work, followed by a new translation (based on the two extant Latin translation) that (a) al-Biṭrūjī's presentation is consistent with the consideration of Eudocian couples of spheres and (b) that al-Biṭrūjī\ did not understand the intricacies of his model very well.