The
Indian astronomers were interested in the computation of eclipses, of
geocentric longitudes, the risings and settings of planets,which had relevance
to the day to day activities of people. The
Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics ( KSAM ) was founded by Madhava of
Sangramagrama and it was followed by brilliant mathematicians, Parameswara,
Jyeshta Deva, Neelakanta, Achyuta Pisharadi, Neelakanta, Sankara Varier et
al.
Did not Emerson say?
"Astronomy is excellent, it should come down and give life its full
value, and not rest amidst globes and spheres ".
They were not bothered about proposing Models of the Universe and gaining
publicity. But then they did discuss the geometrical model, the rationale of
their computations.
The above diagram explains the Geometric Model of Parameswara, another Kerala
astronomer. Paramesvara and Nilakanta modified the Aryabhatan Model.
By Sheegroccha,
he meant the longitude of the Sun." Sheegrocham Sarvesham Ravir bhavathi
", he says is his book Bhatadeepika .
For the interior planets, the longitude of the Sheegra correction is to be
deducted from the Sun's longitude, Ravi
Sphuta to get the
Anomaly of Conjunction.
The Manda
Prathimandala is the
mean angular motion of the Planet, from which the trignometric corrections are
given to get the true, geocentric longitude.
