The total solar eclipse of 18th August 1868 - the aftermath
Shylaja B S

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, High Grounds, Bengaluru 560001 India

Abstract

The total solar eclipses have always been events which were eagerly watched out for a variety of reasons. It is delightful experience for lay persons, a great opportunity for astronomers, creating a sense of awe. The traditional scholars in India well versed with computations of eclipses were stunned at the accuracy achieved on the timings by European scholars in the 19th century. Although no records exist on the discussions, in the context of the eclipse of 18 August, 1868, we get some clues in some contemporary texts in regional languages. Here we elaborate these points which lead to a transformation of the methods computations, the process was not very smooth, though not a turmoil.

Keywords: Solar eclipse 1868, Indian astronomy, Computations

Topic: Astronomical History and Heritage