A comparative study of calculation of Solar Eclipse in ancient and present period

Abstract

The phenomenon of eclipses has been of tremendous interest to mankind. The solar eclipse, which will take place on 21st August, 2017 has kindled the curiosity towards this celestial occurrence once again. In modern times all the observations are gathered through highly sensitive telescopes. For calculations the most advance mathematical software’s and programs are used. It is of interest then, that in Ancient India, what the formulae which were used were and how were the calculations and predictions done by observing the positions of planets through naked eye and in the absence of the modern day equipments. This paper is a modest attempt to give a comparative study of the method given by Aryabhatta for calculations of Stars, Solar Eclipses and the methods used now.