Oblique Ascensions of Zodiacal Signs

The oblique ascension ( n) of zodiacal signs i.e. the rising times of rasis or rasipramanams is defined as the difference between the right ascension () and the ascensional difference () which connected the meridian-horizon transits of a celestial body. For the equator where the latitude is zero, the ascensional difference is zero and so the rising times of signs shall be simply the interval in right ascensions computed as below: We are dividing a quadrant into three using azimuthal 30 degree angles. The right ascension computed for the 90, 60 and 30 degree points are 6.0, 3.8545 and 1.860 with reference to the 0 degree vernal equinox of RA = 0. Trigonometrical relationship involved is of co-ordinate conversion with latitude = 0.

At the equator, the Prana-khandas shall be simply the right ascension hours expressed in Asus if we are to go by the ancient units. For the first tropical sign of Aries 30 degrees:

30

Table-1: Prana-Khandas Longitude Declination RA = Intervals 0 0 0.00 0.00 11.472 30 27.91 27.91 20.150 60 57.82 29.91 23.438 90 90.00 32.18 Asus 0.00 1674.64 1794.49 1930.86 Minutes 0.00 111.64 119.63 128.72

These are spherical trigonometrical computations that address the rotation of earth with the direction of the celestial pole as the axis. There is nothing like a mean value of any sense when a trigonometric function is computed within a quadrant where the functions used such as sine and cosine have their characteristic variations as shown in fig below: Variation of Right Ascension as Sine/Cosine function

1.00 0.75 0.50 0.25 0.00 0 15 30 45 60 75 90

Right Ascensions for signs at Equator Table-2 Signs Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo 0 0 0 0 0 0 RA for 0 0 00 27 54 57 48 90 00 122 12 1520 06 Signs Libra Scor Sagi Capri Aqua Pisc 0 0 0 0 0 0 RA for 0 180 00 207 54 237 48 270 00 302 12 3320 06 Any novice can understand that the intervals between the two values which represent the rising times arise out of the trigonometrical functions and nothing to do with the ellipse or focus. There is no eccentricity involved or any eccentric distance in the use of spherical triangles for computing the right ascensions and the oblique ascensions vis-a-vis ascensional difference. There is no requirement that the rising time of Taurus has to be 2.0 hours corresponding to an arc difference of 30 degrees. Arc interval and the rising time are decided by the declination of the first point as shown in Table-1.

Suryasiddhanta computations
Suryasiddhanta presents the same rules as those transmitted down the tradition since the days of Hipparchus and Ptolemy. Suryasiddhanta makes places no elliptical model in the spherical triangles used to describe the rotation of the celestial sphere as professed in it in contrast to the rotation of earth advocated by Aryabhata. It is murky pseudoscience created to fool the ignorant public if someone is to derive an elliptical orbit and to speak of the dimensions of some Meru on the equator of heights rising up to 4-5 kilometers. Pseudo-Acharya has used a conversion factor of 1 Yojana = 7.9...km by equating the modern value of earths radius to 800 Yojanas. This is rubbish as no siddhantic orbital dimensions have any relation to the actual geographical dimension. Ancient astronomical computations were based on ratios of orbital dimensions fixed on the basis of observations of moons parallax. Moons horizontal parallax (Angle subtended by earths radius of 800Y at the centre of moon) in SS is 5320. Sine = when is small and radius of the moons orbit is obtained as 51570Y. Moons orbit will be 324000 Y. Basic definition is Moons orbit of 21600 minutes of arc in Yojanas. Suryasiddhanta takes 1 arc min = 15 Yojanas. Same as in Ardharatra paksha.

51570 )

800

With Aryabhatiya, Moons horizontal parallax (Angle subtended by earths radius of 525Y at the centre of moon) in SS is 52.5. Radius of the moons orbit is obtained as 34380Y. Moons orbit will be 216000 Y. Basic definition is Moons orbit of 21600 minutes of arc in Yojanas. Aryabhatiya takes 1 arc min = 10 Yojanas.

34380 )

525 Earth

These dimensions simply served the computational models and no equivalence can be drawn with the modern values as may be noted from Table-3 below drawn for the dimensions given by Aryabhata. Similar analysis can be drawn for Suryasiddhanta also. Graha Ancient Orbit Ancient Orbit Modern value Distance/ Yojana KM in Yojanas Radius = Distance Distance -KM Earths radius for each case 34377.387 459585.371 864414.862 5451065.280 13546360.638 384400 149,600,000 227900000 778,300,000 1,427,000,000 65.48 875.40 1646.50 10382.98 25802.59 11.18 325.51 263.65 142.78 105.34

Moon 216000.000 Sun 2887666.800

Mars 5431291.460 Jupiter 34250133.368 Saturn 85114493.163

It is the height of tragedy for Jyotihsastra that a man who is ignorant of the use of the spherical triangles is today getting audience with people to discuss his derivation of nutation of earths axis from Suryasiddhanta and its value of obliquity 240 even in 21st century. This note is being issued to make people vigilant of the pseudoscience taking rounds in groups taking advantage of the ignorance of the public. This epidemic more dangerous to genuine studies and research than the cholera bacteria to the intestine. Please take care not to share such rubbish accounts not to forward such mails in the interests of the preservation of divine science and the honour of the great sages. Please dont commit sacrilege on the name of Suryasiddhanta by promoting such studies which make out Meru on equator from the computation of right ascensions. Meru is the earths axis and the spinal column we have and the symbolisms have deeper meanings in Tantra which is the source of Jyotihsastra. K.Chandra Hari 31 March 2011