Astronomy
Globes (including mathematics) and medicine were the main
concern Indian scientists. These figures like vedangas. Astronoomy
in India, as in other civilizations was inseperable of astrology.
In fact, astronomy (jyothisha) has been divided into siddhanta
(astronomy proper). Samhita (collective astrology predict
events which affect communities) and Hora (individual astrology
predict the future events affecting an individual). The intimate
relationship between astronomy and astrology can be seen everywhere.
It should be noted that one of the eminent astronomers of
the modern era, Kepler was also an astrologer. He developed
the astronomical assist its astrological research.
Astronomy in India origin in the Vedas as a vedanga. Indeed Yajurveda (1000
BC) speaks planets and constellations stellar movements. Based
toughts on the Vedic.
Comments. Lagadha writing vedanga Jyothisha (700-600 BC), in
which he discussed the timing calculations, tec sun rise. But
astronomy of Vedas and vedanga jyothisha is primarily meant
for ritual purposes in order to find a good time and a good
omen for the rites and rituals. But Indian astronomy, however,
passed this stage and establish itself as an independent discipline.
It aimed at acquiring knowledge of astronomical phenomena. Its
glorious glorious development was due to the unceasing efforts
of Indian astronomers. The most important of whom were AryaBhata
(5 th Century AD) Varahamihira (6th century AD) and Bhaskaracharya
(12th century AD). The history of Indian astronomy is characterized
by the development of five different schools of astronomy. These
are (1) Brahma or pitamaha siddahanta, (2) paulisha siddantha,
(3) Romaka siddhanta, (4) vasista siddhanta and (5) will siddhanta.
Brahma siddhanta was the oldest, but it has fallen into disuse
when other schools have chosen to dominate. Siddhanta of the
work of the classical astronomer Paul Alexander, Saura has Siddhanta
his excellent statement in the workplace. Surya Siddhanta wrote
in the 4 th century BC. But all these four systems popular since
the crisis faced increasingly astronomical facts in conflict
with their traditions. Aryabhata then revived the old Brahma
or pitamaha Siddhanta, which began to dominate the scene. His
Aryabhatiya become the guide for future work. In one of the
works of varahamihira there is a detailed discussion critical
of all schools of astronomy.
There was not in favor of the Brahma siddhanta and will be
preferred or surya siddhanta to it. Later Brahmagupta (7th
century) advanced Brahma siddhanta and wrote Brahamaputra
siddhanta. Based on this work, Bhaskaracharya 2 wrote his
astronomical addressed in the course of his work, siddhanta
siromani. It is held by Indian astronomy that the position
of the moon relative to the fixed stars changes through a
cycle of 27 days and 7 hours. Based on the sky was divided
into 27 units. They were named after the group of stars near
the moon makes its cyclical movement. Later, astronomers added
the 28th star to correct errors due to sidereal month. Astronomers
knew Indian seven planets and added two more later. They belived
that at the beginning of each year, all the planets together
and begin the return to the same position at the end of it.
The irregular movement of the planets were explained on the
basis of epicycles. In their view, this angular apparently
different proposals have been due to their being located at
different distances from Earth. They adopted the geocentric
theory, but Aryabhata and Bhaskaracharya talked about the
heliocentric theory as well. They knew that the precision
of the equinoxes and accurate values of astronomical. Indeed,
they could forecast eclipses with remarkable accuracy. One
example is sufficient to indicate the accuracy of their calculations.
The difference between the values of the circumference of
the Earth by Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya and those of modern
astronomy is only 13 miles. But we know very little about
the astronomical instruments used by the Indians then. However
Bhaskaracharya 2 describes the various astronomical instruments
used in his time. But he described as "intelligence"
is a better tool that all these instruments.
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