Aryabhata II

Aryabhata II can be figured as one of the modern day astronomers who belonged to the recent ages. He came into prominence during 950 AD when he compiled all his observations on astronomical developments of the present day in the 18 chapters of his treatise. The book written by Aryabhata II included a special chapter on Kuttaka which provides an integral solution to the indeterminate equations of the first degree. Though Aryabhata II was a compiler and notable Astronomer of Ancient Indian Astronomy, he lacked in merit and qualitative observations as his predecessors have done. On principles he was not a follower of Aryabhata I and adhered to the orthodox method of ancient astronomy which marks him distinctly from Aryabhata I who was more mathematical and scientific in calculating the movement of stars.

Aryabhata II was the first to predict the precession of Equinox in case of earth`s rotation. Equinox is the position in which the earth is not tilted to any of the sides, neither towards the Sun nor opposite of that direction.This shall come twice the year which will result into equal day and equal night. This astronomical observation came accurately in the future or the present day of which Aryabhata II was the pioneer. During Equinox the sun is located in such a manner that the position of the earth is perpendicular away from its usual orbit. This divides the day as well as the night into two equal parts and the season into two sections. Though Arybhata II was not so confirmed and accurate in calculating the exact division and the position of the Earth, yet he was the first to assess the change.

Thus, Aryabhata II was among the Hindu Astronomers of the second generation who continued with the astronomical innovations of the present which had only added new and more accurate inventions in the field of Hindu Astronomy. While the base of Hindu astronomy was laid in the Vedic period it went through continuous inventions which followed the coming generations.