Ancient Indian Astronomy

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and contributions in Ancient Indian Astronomy.

What is the definition of Astronomy according to Ancient Indian studies?

The study of celestial objects through observation and formulating laws that govern these phenomena.

What does the term 'Jyotisha' refer to in Ancient Indian Astronomy?

It is referred to as the study of the light (ज्योत) in the sky.

What are Nakshatras in Ancient Indian Astronomy?

Nakshatras are lunar mansions, segments of the ecliptic divided into 27 equal parts, each associated with a specific star.

How many Nakshatras are there and how are they distinguished?

There are 28 Nakshatras, each with specific stellar identifiers and relevant astronomical properties.

What is the significance of Panchang in Indian Astronomy?

The Panchang is the traditional Hindu Calendar used to determine the dates of important religious festivals and consists of five parts.

What are the four Yugas defined in Ancient Indian time cycles?

The four Yugas are Kretayuga, Tretayuga, Dvaparyuga, and Kaliyuga.

Who is Aryabhata and what are some of his contributions to astronomy?

Aryabhata was a mathematician-astronomer who contributed to the circular units of arc, methods of determining planetary positions, and provided an approximate value for pi (π).

How does the lunar month differ from the solar year?

A lunar month is approximately 29.530 days while a solar year is about 365.256 days, leading to the need for an extra month, known as 'अधिकमास,' to realign the calendars.

What is the primary cause of eclipses according to Varahamihira?

At a lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth, and during a solar eclipse, the Moon covers the Sun’s disc.

What is a unique method introduced by Aryabhata for representing large numbers?

Aryabhata created a method of representing huge numbers using alphabets.