Observational records of stars in Indian astronomical texts

Abstract

In an effort to search observational records of stars in the Indian astronomical texts, we have compiled all bright stars in various texts from Sūryasiddhānta to Siddhāntadarpan̟a by Candraśekhara Sāmanta of the 19th century, totalling to 106 based on the listed coordinates. Using the 27 naks̟atras on the ecliptic, used for fixing the position of the solar system bodies, the coordinates were matched for the epochs of the catalogues. This resolved some ambiguity with respect to the identification of faint stars and provided a means to extend the method to other stars outside the zodiac. We have specifically chosen those lists which are characterized by observations that are highlighted in the discussion. Our study reveals that a scale similar to the magnitude scale of brightness (currently in use) was in vogue. The origins of the names are also described.