Ancient Astronomers

ere’s an overview of Ancient Astronomers and their key contributions to early astronomy:

1. Babylonian Astronomers (c. 1800 BCE – 500 BCE)

• Among the earliest systematic sky watchers.

• Created star catalogs, tracked planetary movements, and developed a lunar calendar.

• Used mathematical models to predict eclipses and planetary positions.

2. Egyptian Astronomers (c. 3000 BCE – 30 BCE)

• Used astronomy to align pyramids and temples with stars like Sirius and Orion.

• Developed a 365-day calendar based on the heliacal rising of Sirius (linked to the Nile flood).

• Observed the motion of the sun for seasonal changes.

3. Greek Astronomers

• Thales (c. 624–546 BCE): Predicted solar eclipses, believed water was the origin of everything.

• Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE): Suggested Earth was spherical.

• Aristarchus (c. 310–230 BCE): Proposed heliocentric theory (Sun at the center), centuries before Copernicus.

• Hipparchus (c. 190–120 BCE): Created the first star catalog, discovered precession of the equinoxes.

4. Indian Astronomers

• Aryabhata (476–550 CE): Calculated Earth's circumference, explained Earth’s rotation on its axis.

• Developed early trigonometric functions to predict planetary movements.

• Proposed that the moon and planets reflect sunlight.

5. Chinese Astronomers

• Kept detailed celestial records for over 3,000 years.

• First recorded supernova (SN 1054), which created the Crab Nebula.

• Used astronomy for astrological and agricultural purposes.

6. Mayan Astronomers (c. 250–900 CE)

• Created highly accurate calendars (Haab and Tzolk’in).

• Predicted solar and lunar eclipses using naked-eye observations.

• Observed Venus cycles for timing battles and rituals.

7. Islamic Astronomers (8th–14th Century)

• Preserved and expanded on Greek astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age.

• Al-Battani (Albategnius): Improved measurements of the solar year and planetary orbits.

• Built advanced observatories and astronomical tables that influenced Europe.

Key Legacy

• Ancient astronomers laid the foundation for modern science, combining observation, mathematics, and philosophy to understand the cosmos.