* Astronomy

Masha'allah ibn Athar (c.740-d.815 AD) was an eighth century Persian Jewish astrologer and astronomer from the city of Basra (now located in modern day Iraq) who became the leading astrologer of the late 8th century. The Arabic phrase ma sha`a allah indicates acceptance of what God has ordained in terms of good or ill fortune that may befall a believer. His name is usually Latinised as Messala or Messahalla. The crater Messala on the Moon is named after him.

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