The famous Indian astronomer Aryabhata was the first to propose that the Moon and planets shine due to reflected sunlight. In his work “Aryabhatiya,” written in 499 CE, Aryabhata explained that these celestial bodies do not emit their own light but rather reflect the light from the Sun, a significant contribution to astronomy.
Which famous Indian astronomer said that the moon and the planet shine due to reflected sunlight?
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Aryabhata, a renowned Indian astronomer and mathematician, was the first to assert that the Moon and planets shine due to reflected sunlight. In his seminal work, “Aryabhatiya,” composed in 499 CE, Aryabhata explained that these celestial bodies do not produce their own light but instead reflect the Sun’s light. This insight was revolutionary for its time, as it corrected the earlier belief that the Moon and planets had their own inherent luminosity. Aryabhata’s contributions to astronomy, including his explanation of the Earth’s rotation and the concept of eclipses, were foundational in advancing our understanding of the cosmos and have left a lasting legacy in scientific thought.