Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v1.c6.s3.t3.2

v1.c6.s3.t3.2

From the quotations given above, it appears that the moon was believed to be occupying a position in the sky higher than the sun, and this belief is contrary to scientific truth and to the astronomical theory propounded in post-vedic period. The scientific fact that the actual position of stars is higher up than the sun, is no doubt implicit in the above description. The reason why the moon was believed to be occupying a position higher than the sun was probably the fact that no stars are visible during the day time when the sun shines, and therefore it was possibly believed that the sun had nothing to do with the stars. That is not the case with the moon. Because the stars near which the moon moves are visible and because of its swift motion, it appears to be moving amongst them. Hence, it was but natural for the people to believe that the stars are higher up than the sun and the moon moves in their region, the moon is also higher than the sun. We, however, get the following quotation from the Vedas confirming the fact that the true position of the moon is nearer to us than the sun and hence lower than the sun.