The reliability of the records of observed solar eclipses in india and comparison with contemporaneous eclipse data from other countries

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the reliability of the records of solar eclipses observed in southern India taken from recently compiled records of solar eclipses. Observations in AD 938, 1087 and 1268 survived the preliminary examination of reliability. We have carried out a more precise examination utilising the so called ‘Sôma Diagram’, which determines the ΔT values of the periods with the aid of contemporaneous eclipse data from other countries. Finally, the Indian observations of AD 938, 1087 and 1268 have been incorporated into the determination of a narrower range of ΔT values. We will describe the examination process and give these three ranges.