Question

Collect information about the contribution of Varahamihira to astronomy.

Answer 1

1. Varahamihira (505-587CE) was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer from Ujjain.
2. Varahamihira is considered to be one of the Nine gems (Navarathnas) of the court of ancient ruler Yashodarman.
3. His knowledge of western astrology was thorough but he was also very interested in astrology and horoscope
4. His father was a worshipper of the Sun God and it was he who taught astrology.
5. Varahamihira was a scientist. He declared that the earth was spherical. He was the first to claim that some ‘force’ might be keeping bodies stuck to the round earth. This force is now called gravity.
6. He proposed that the moon and the planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to Sunlight.
7. His book Panchasiddhantika on mathematical astronomy is one of the most important sources for the history of Hindu Astronomy.
8. His encyclopedia Brihat-Samhita with 106 chapters includes subjects planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, clouds, growth of crops, various rituals.