NAMES OF STARS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE VEDAS

Figure 1 shows the picture of Mesha or Aries group of Stars in the sky. Clearly, the Moon Band does not touch the Mesha Raashi or Aries as presently identified, but is within about 5 degrees of the band. Figure 1 shows four Nakshatras viz., Revati from Meena Raashi, Ashwini, Bharani, and Krittika.

Ashwini Nakshatra is defined in Bharateeya Jyotishya as group of three stars. A study of the figure 1 suggests that the best candidates for this group are as shown in table below based on brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.

The month of Ashwija (usually October in the Gregorian System) is named after Ashwini and at the full moon of Ashwija Moon is near Ashwini Nakshatra. If a single star has to be identified as representing Ashwini Nakshatra, Best candidate is 13 a Aries / SAO-75151/HD-12929/Hamal.

The Bharani Nakshatra is defined as a group of three stars. Brightest can be identified as HD17573 and SAO75596. The following table provides candidates which qualify as Bharani Nakshatra from brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.

If a single star has to be identified as representing Bharani Nakshatra, best candidate is 41-Aries/SAO-75596/HD-17573.

Krittika Nakshatra is defined as a set of six stars. Bharateeya tradition has it that Kaartikeya, is surrounded by five Apsaras. This set of stars is identified by classical European system as Plaeidis. Brightest amongst them is called Alcyone by Arabs. The following table provides the candidates of stars for Krittika Nakshatra or Lunar mansion from brightness point of view, location with reference to moon traverse band and distance from previous Nakshatra.

If a single star has to be identified as representing Krittika Nakshatra, best candidate is 25hAries/SAO-76199/HD-23630/ AlCyone.

Krittika is also the name of the Chandramana month Kaartika. On the full moon day of Kaartika, the moon is near Krittika Nakshatra. In the Raashi/Nakshatra translation, both the Ashwini/Bharani belong to Mesha Raashi. The Krittika is considered as 1/4 a part of Mesha (Aries) and 3/4 a part of Vrishbha (Taurus).

Arundhati Nakshatra (though not a part of the 27 day pointing stars) is near the Krittitka. It is said to be the eighth star in the cluster Krittika(Ref-2).

The Ashwini/Bharani Nakshatras stars are separated by 50 minutes of time or about 12.5 degrees (E-W), while Bharani and Krittika are separated by about 55 minutes corresponding to about 13.75 degrees (E-W). Both these gaps are near the ideal 13.33 degrees E-W gap between stars.