An historical perspective on lunar occultations of stars: Periodicity and circumstances

Abstract

In Indian astronomical texts, generally the lunar occultation of particular stars, like Makhā (Regulus), Citrā (Spica), Rohiṇi (Aldebaran) and Jyesṭhā (Antares), are considered important. In this paper, a study of the phenomenon of a lunar occultation and the periodicity of this phenomenon are discussed. Actual circumstances of some occultations of stars cited by earlier authors and also recordings inscribed on stone are worked out.