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Computational Study of 5th-Century Siddhantic Texts in Nepal Reveals Precise Precession of Equinoxes Calculations

📅 April 6, 2026 📰 Kathmandu Post (Science Edition)
Computational Study of 5th-Century Siddhantic Texts in Nepal Reveals Precise Precession of Equinoxes Calculations

Scholars from the Tribhuvan University and the International Astronomical Union have analyzed a series of 5th-century Sanskrit astronomical tables discovered in a remote monastery in the Mustang region. Using AI-driven computational modeling, the team confirmed that the ancient observers had calculated the rate of the precession of the equinoxes with an error of less than 1.5% compared to modern values. The text appears to be a regional variation of the early Aryabhatian school.

The study indicates that these observations were likely conducted from high-altitude locations, providing atmospheric clarity that allowed for the precise tracking of the stellar positions over several decades. This research proves that the mathematical rigor of the Gupta-era scientific renaissance extended well into the Himalayan corridors.

Original source: Kathmandu Post (Science Edition)