Question

Collect information about the contribution of Aryabhatta to astronomy.

Answer 1

1. Aryabhatta (476-550CE) was the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy.
2. His major work, Aryabhatiya is a compendium of mathematics and astronomy.
3. Aryabhatiya covers several branches of mathematics such as algebra, arithmetic, plane, and spherical trigonometry.
4. Aryabhatta discovered the position of nine planets and expressed that these likewise rotate around the sun.
5. He also provided the circumference and measurement of the Earth and the radius of the orbits of 9 planets.
6. Aryabhatta pronounced that the moon has no light of its own.
7. He concluded that the earth is round. He also stated that it rotates on its own axis, which is why we have days and nights.
8. He concentrated on a few geometric and trigonometric parts of the celestial sphere that are still used to study stars.
9. In his old age, Aryabhatta composed another treatise ‘ Aryabahatta – Siddhanta’. It is the booklet for everyday astronomical calculation for performing rituals, To this very day, astronomical data provided in this text is used for preparing pan changes (Hindu Calendars).
10. India’s first Satellite Aryabhatta was named after him.