This 15th-century Persian manuscript depicts Nasir al-Din al-Tusi's observatory in Maragha.

The foundations of the 13th-century Maragha Observatory are still visible today, and it is part of UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative.

Many astronomers were reportedly linked to the Maragha Observatory including Jamal al-Din who, according to Chinese records, became famous in China and became known as Cha-ma-lu-ting after he visited the Imperial Court in Beijing in 1267 and brought with him several astronomical instruments.