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The Speed of light -

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The Speed of light

           A  'Slokah' from Rg-veda-samhita, Mandalam 1,  Suktam 50, Mantrah 4 (6000 BCE) Sayanacarya's commentary (14th century AD):

 "Tatha ca smaryate yojananam sahasram dve dve sate dve ca yojane !
Ekena nimisardhena kramamana namostu te !! "

Meaning : 

           The speed of light was first determined in 1676 AD by a Danish astronomer Olaus Roemer who looked at the difference in the times that light from Io, one of the moons of Jupiter, takes to reach earth based on whether it is on the near side of Jupiter or the far side.

          Until then light was taken to travel with infinite velocity. Even Newton assumed so. In 1887 AD., Michealson and Morley established the velocity of light 1,86,300 miles / sec.
          It is remembered (that) Salutations to Thee (sun), giving light the traveller of 2,202 yojanas in half a nimisha.Sayana's computation of Speed of Light Distance travelled = 2202 Yojanas in ½ of Nimisha.

1 Yojana    = 9 miles, 110 Yards     = 9.0625 miles

1 nimisha= 1/8.75 second  =  0.114286   seconds 

  Speed of light         =  185,016.169 miles / seconds.

    Modern Value         =   186,282.397 miles / seconds.