Observational records of stars in Indian astronomical texts - IV (Cancer and Leo)

Abstract

In an effort to search observational records of stars in Indian Astronomical texts, we have compiled all bright stars in various texts from Sūryasiddhānta to Siddhāntadarpaṇa by Candraśekhara Sāmanta of the 19th century. We have used the well-known 27 nakṣatras on the ecliptic for fixing the coordinates. This has resulted in unambiguous identification of faint stars. A scale similar to the magnitude scale of brightness in one of the texts has further helped in identifying the faint stars. Here we discuss the stars grouped under Cancer and Leo. It is interesting that Puṣya is described as one with the appearance of a cloud. Two names hitherto unknown and a mention of the pole of the ecliptic are also reported.