Final answer:
Ancient Islamic astronomers sought to improve Ptolemy's geocentric model, specifically targeting the equant model used to explain planetary movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ancient Islamic astronomers sought to improve upon several aspects of Ptolemy's model of the universe. This model, known as the Ptolemaic system, was geocentric, placing Earth at the center of the universe with the moon, planets, sun, and stars revolving around it in complex circular paths.
Islamic astronomers recognized shortcomings in this model, specifically in its mechanisms like the equant model, which was used to explain the irregular speeds at which planets appeared to move. They worked on revisions that would lead to a more empirically accurate understanding of planetary motions, and these revisions were influenced by the observations and philosophical beliefs of their time.
In attempting to refine the Ptolemaic system, the ancient Islamic astronomers did not seek to replace the geocentric model with a heliocentric model (where the sun is at the center) but instead aimed to address its complexities and discrepancies.
Their focus was on the equant model - a mathematical concept used by Ptolemy to describe the observed speeds of the planets which introduced a point some distance from the center of the planet's circular orbit (deferent) from which the motion would appear to be uniform.