This ancient Hindu text has oldest mention of a solar eclipse in world. Here’s what astronomers have found in new study

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

solar eclipse in the ancient Hindu text, the Rig Veda, dating back approximately 6,000 years. This discovery marks the oldest known mention of an eclipse.

Ancient Text Rig Veda

The Rig Veda, a collection of sayings and hymns compiled around 1500 B.C., has long been studied for its historical and religious significance. This ancient text, originating from various religious and philosophical traditions, contains references to astronomical events. While many of these references are contemporary to the time of compilation, some mention events from much earlier periods. The Rig Veda's descriptions of the rising sun's location during the vernal equinox offer valuable clues to dating these events. For instance, the text describes the vernal equinox as occurring in Orion around 4500 B.C. and in the Pleiades around 2230 B.C., providing insights into the Earth's changing axis over time.

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What Astronomers Found

Astronomers Mayank Vahia from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai and Mitsuru Soma from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan believe they have identified references to an ancient solar eclipse within the text. Their findings, published in the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, highlight passages that describe the sun being «pierced» by darkness and gloom. These descriptions are strikingly fitting for a solar eclipse.

Date of Oldest Eclipse Observed

Further analysis allowed the