Varahamihira and the prediction of finding water on Mars 1,500 years ago

Varahamihira - a sage from ancient India, predicted the existence of water on Mars 1,500 years ago.

In 1784, the German astronomer William Herschel hypothesized that Mars could be inhabited, like our planet. Although the idea of ​​Martian existence is still confined to the realm of science fiction, it is now recognized that there is water on Mars.

Interestingly, this discovery was predicted by Varahamihira - an Indian sage more than 1,500 years ago.

Who is Varahamihira?

Varahamihira was one of the greatest scientists and astrologers of the 6th century AD who made remarkable discoveries in astronomy. He is considered one of the 9 "jewels" (Nine Gems) under the reign of King Vikramaditya. 

Varahamihira was born in the Avanti region (present-day Malwa). His father was a huge worshiper of the sun god. Therefore, from an early age, he was taught useful knowledge about astronomy by his old father, such as how the planets move in the solar system.

As a young man, Varahamihira met the famous Indian astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata. It was this fateful meeting that inspired him, leading him to decide to pursue a career in astronomy and astrology.

At that time, the Indian city of Ujjain was famous as a center of intellectual learning. So Varahamihira decided to move here and start learning from many scholars. His knowledge of astronomy is said to have grown to superhuman levels.

Predicting the existence of water on Mars

Varahamihira has many important astrological works, of which the Pancha-Siddhantika is considered one of his famous works.

In this work, Varahamihira outlines five major systems of astronomical knowledge, one of which is Surya-Siddhanta, with a very detailed description of the Red planet, including a proposal that the surface of Mars has Contains both water and iron.

Today, science has proven that the red color on the surface of Mars is actually caused by the iron dust that has covered most of its surface.

Varahamihira also calculated the diameter of Mars to be 6070.4 km, only 11% smaller than the currently known diameter of 6779 km.

Including studies in astronomy, but also in the field of mathematics, he is also credited with discovering trigonometric formulas and even contributing to the improvement of the accuracy of sine tables. have present.

Varahamihira is recognized as one of the first mathematicians in the world to have given the original form of the "Pascal's Triangle".

Talking about his treatises, Varahamihira was only modest: "The science of astrology is a vast ocean that is not easy for everyone to cross. My treatise provides only a safe boat." To this day, his research is still recognized as an all-time masterpiece.

Much of the water that exists on Mars is in the form of ice.

Most of the water that exists on Mars is in the form of ice. A small amount of water exists as a vapor in the atmosphere, and is only visible on the ice cap at the North Pole.

It is estimated that Mars has nearly 21 million cubic kilometers of ice on its surface or equivalent. Thus, in the distant past, the Red Planet could have been a wet place where microorganisms had enough conditions to survive and multiply on the surface.

But right now, the Martian environment is too dry and frozen due to low temperatures. In addition, the fact that this planet is exposed to cosmic radiation due to the absence of ozone layer and magnetic field makes the possibility of life on Mars very small.

Still, the discovery of exploitable water on Mars is certainly a positive sign for human space exploration. This form of water, although difficult to sustain life, can be converted into rocket fuel - an additional source needed for future space explorations.