Indian Astronomy And Astrology

Indian Astronomy 🪐

📜 Origins and Texts

• Vedanga Jyotisha (1400–1200 BCE): Earliest known astronomical text; used for timing rituals.
• Surya Siddhanta: Classical treatise detailing planetary motions, eclipses, and timekeeping.
• Aryabhatiya by Aryabhata (5th century CE): Introduced heliocentric ideas and accurate planetary models.
• Pañcasiddhāntikā by Varahamihira (6th century CE): Compared five astronomical systems.

🔭 Key Concepts

• Earth’s rotation explained by Aryabhata.
• Accurate calculation of solar and lunar eclipses.
• Use of gnomon (shanku) for measuring shadows and time.
• Development of epicyclic models for planetary motion.

🧠 Famous Astronomers

• Aryabhata – Earth’s rotation, π, lunar phases
• Brahmagupta – Planetary motion, zero
• Varahamihira – Eclipse prediction, weather science
• Bhaskara II – Siddhanta Shiromani, advanced trigonometry
• Madhava – Infinite series for sine and π