1. What is Vedic Astrology?

Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotisha, is the traditional Hindu system of astrology originating in ancient India. It differs from Western astrology in its calculations and interpretations, using the sidereal zodiac which accounts for the precession of equinoxes.

2. How Planetary Positions are Calculated

The calculator uses complex Vedic algorithms to determine planetary positions:

Where:

• \( BirthDate \) — Date of birth in Gregorian calendar
• \( Time \) — Exact time of birth (local time)
• \( Location \) — Geographic coordinates of birth place

Explanation: The calculation accounts for astronomical phenomena like ayanamsa (precession of equinoxes), planetary motions, and local time conversion to sidereal time.

3. Importance of Accurate Birth Data

Details: Even small errors in birth time (15 minutes) can significantly affect planetary positions, especially the Moon which moves about 0.5° per hour. Latitude and longitude determine the ascendant calculation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: For most accurate results, use exact birth time from official records. If unknown, sunrise time can be used with reduced accuracy. Coordinates should be as precise as possible.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Vedic and Western astrology?
A: Vedic uses sidereal zodiac (fixed star-based), while Western uses tropical zodiac (season-based). Vedic also places more emphasis on the Moon's position.

Q2: Why is birth time so important?
A: The exact time determines the ascendant (rising sign) and house divisions, which are crucial in Vedic interpretations.

Q3: What if I don't know my exact birth time?
A: You can use noon time as a default, but ascendant and Moon position won't be accurate. Rectification methods exist but are complex.

Q4: How accurate are these calculations?
A: With precise input data, positions are accurate to within 0.01°. The calculator uses NASA's JPL ephemeris data.

Q5: What planetary systems are included?
A: All classical planets (Sun to Saturn) plus lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) which are important in Vedic astrology.