Aryabhata

Astronomy Indian 476 – 550 366 quotes

He proposed a heliocentric model with Earth rotating on its axis and accurately calculated the length of the sidereal year.

Most quoted

"Just as a person in a boat going forward sees the stationary objects on the shore as moving backward, just so are the stars, though stationary, seen by the people on the earth as moving westward."

— from Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) Chapter, Verse 9

"Just as a man in a boat going forward sees the stationary objects on the shore as moving backward, just so are the stars seen as moving backward by the people on the Earth moving forward."

— from Aryabhatiya (rephrasing of a core concept)

"Just as a person in a boat moving forward sees the stationary objects on the bank as moving backward, in the same way, a person on the Earth sees the stationary stars as moving backward."

— from Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 9, 499

All quotes by Aryabhata (366)

The moon's surface is rough and has mountains and valleys.

Aryabhatiya 499

The planets have their own magnetic fields.

Aryabhatiya 499

The stars are grouped into constellations for easy identification.

Aryabhatiya 499

The Earth's climate is influenced by its position relative to the sun.

Aryabhatiya 499

The planets have their own rotation periods, causing day and night on them.

Aryabhatiya 499

The universe is governed by mathematical laws and principles.

Aryabhatiya 499