Visibility of Safar Crescent 1433 AH
- When to Observe Safar Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
- Safar Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
- The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries
- When to Observe Muharram Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
- Muharram Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
When to Observe Safar Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Saturday 24 December 2011) at 18:06 UT.
Sighting the new crescent on (Saturday 24 December 2011) and (Sunday 25 December 2011) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-
- It is impossible to see the crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day sets before the Sunset and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunset.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
- The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
- The crescent cannot be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon sets in these locations after the Sunset and the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunset, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
- Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.
According to the Universal Hejric Calendar (UHC), which is based on the calculated crescent visibility, the start of this month in the Eastern Region will be on Monday 26 December 2011 and in the Western Region will be on Monday 26 December 2011. Kindly notice that the UHC is a pre-calculated calendar, which adopts a certain criterion to start the new Hejric month. Your country/organization might adopt different criterion to start the new Hejric month. So it is highly advised to read the UHC website before giving any judgment.
- Results of seeing the crescent, and the first day of the month in different countries will be added here Inshalla as we receive the reports from ICOP's members. If you wish to be a member in ICOP, or to know more about it, kindly click here.
Safar Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
Sun 25 December 2011
Algeria
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohamed Isa Moussa from Guerrara City in Ghardaia State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Mohamed Isa Moussa said: "تمت مشاهدة الهلال من طرف أعضاء الجمعية كما تم الاستعانة ببرامج المحاكاة من أجل تحديد مكان الهلال ومواقيت غروب الشمس والهلال "
Iran
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohamad Soltanolkottabi from Kesheh City in Esfahan State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Mohamad Soltanolkottabi said: "Group members: Daryoush Zolfaghari rad, Ahmadreza Karimi & Mohamad Soltanolkottabi We started to look for the thin crescent about Sunset. I first observed the crescent through 20*90 binocular at 17:21 disappearing behind a piece of cloud. After a few minutes the crescent appeared again & Mr. Zolfaghari rad & Karimi saw it at 17:33 through 20*90 binocular. Also I could see the crescent bye naked eyes at 17:40 for a few minutes. Topocentric (Refrac off): The first observation through 20*90 binoculars: Time: 17:21 Moon Alt: 5° Elongation: 10.18° Moon Phase: 0.94% Moon Age: 19h 45m The first observation by naked eyes: Time: 17:40 Moon Alt: 2° Elongation: 10.34° Moon Phase: 0.97% Moon Age: 20h 4m "
2 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Zahed Aram from saravan City in balochistan State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
3 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani from Esfahan City in Esfahan State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Alireza Mehrani said: "Observation Report New Moon = = = = = = Location: Esfahan, Iran Latitude: 32° 35' 34" N Longitude: 51° 38' 34" E Elevation: 2117 meters from sea level Time zone: +3.5 Observer & photographer: Alireza Mehrani Date: Sunday December 25, 2011 (Dey 4, 1390) Temperature: 11 C° (51.8 F°) Wind: 18 km/h Humidity: 43% Barometer: 843.6 mb Visibility: 12 km Topocentric and local time values from "Moon Calculator" (Refrac off): Crescent first observation through 15x80 binoculars: Time: 17:24 LT (13:54 UT) Moon Alt: 3° 27' 44" Sun Alt: - (5° 57' 05") Elongation: 10° 13' 27" Rel Azi: 3° 59' 41" Moon Width: 0.25' Moon Phase: 0.94% Moon Age: 19h 47m after conjunction Crescent first observation through 5x70 binoculars: Time: 17:25 LT (13:55 UT) Crescent last observation through 15x80 binoculars: Time: 17:40 (14:10 UT) "
Malaysia
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Firdaus Mazlan from Teluk Kemang City in Negeri Sembilan State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Firdaus Mazlan said: "On Sunday, 25 th December 2011 M equal to 29 Muharram 1433 H, I with my friend (Mr. Mohammad Haniff bin Md Yusoff, Mr. Jamaluddin bin Abu Bakar, Mr. Asmanizam, Mr. Mohamad Fadzlan bin Yaacob, and Mr. Muhammad Zainal Abidin bin Mohamad Hani) cannot see the new moon either with telescope or with naked eye at Baitul Hilal, Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (02:26:43.0 N , 101:51:16.0 E). It because the horizon is very cloudy. So, tomorrow, 26th December 2011 M (Monday) is 30 Muharram 1433 H. However, base on Calculation (Hisab), our Government have announced the 1st Safar 1433 H on 26th December 2011 M (Monday). "
Nigeria
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Usman El-Nafaty from Bauchi City in Bauchi State State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. Usman El-Nafaty said: "I tried sighting the crescent here in Bauchi Nigeria at sunset and few minutes after but the weather was very hazy due to the harmattan dust. So it couldnt be sighted. Salams. Usman A. El-Nafaty"
Oman
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Prof. Mohammed Al-Bussaidi from Al-Fulaij City in Muscat State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was superb, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was seen by telescope, the crescent was seen by CCD Imaging
Prof. Mohammed Al-Bussaidi said: "The sky conditions were excellent despite that we could not see it by our naked eyes (it could be due something wrong with our eye sight. However, we saw it with telescope very clearly. And we followed the crescent until it set below the western horizon. "
Pakistan
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alam Sultan from karachi City in sindh State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Alam Sultan said: "Today (Sunday, 25 December 2011= Pakistan: 29 Muharram 1433) on my request, more than 150 persons ( members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon all over Pakistan nearly at 16 places but the moon could not be sighted. It was clear or little hazy in nearly all places. Note 1: Chairman of central official moon sighting committee of Pakistan mufti Munee-bur-Rahman told me on my mobile phone that as they also did not receive any positive report hence they officially announced that Monday 26th December 2011 is 30th Muharram 1433 AH and Tuesday 27th December 2011 is 1st Safar 1433 AH in Pakistan Note 2: After some days, inshaallah, a detailed report of this observation will be available at www.esnips.com/web/moonnewsofjamiaturrasheed "
Saudi Arabia
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Saleh Al-Saab from Buraydah City in AlGassiem State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
South Africa
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim from Cape Town City in Western Cape Province State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim said: "Crescent not seen from the Greenpoint lighthouse (6m elevation) and neither from the top of Signal Hill (360m elevation). Western horizon extremely hazy up to an altitude of 4 degrees."
Tanzania
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Zaffar Sheriff from daressalaam City in tanzania State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Zaffar Sheriff said: "A huge cloud sat on western horizon. The crescent was not seen in Daressalaam, nor in surrounding areas."
Trinidad and Tobago
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Abdurrahman Ali from cunupia City in none State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
United Kingdom
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Eng. Qamar Uddin from York City in North Yorkshire State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Eng. Qamar Uddin said: "On Sunday, 25 December 2011 (29 Muharram 1433 AH) many people from throughout UK have attempted to sight the crescent moon (Hilal) of Safar after sunset. None of the groups were able to sight the Hilal, as most places were cloudy. However, we have received reliable sighting report (Muhaqaq-Ruyat-Basari) from Morocco Awqaf Ministry via fax. Therefore, the Wifaq/Batley Ulama have decided that the month of Muharram 1433 AH will have 29 days and the month of Safar 1433 AH will start from Monday 26 December 2011, Insha-Allah. "
United States
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Dr. Javad Torabinejad from Blacksburg City in Virginia State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. Javad Torabinejad said: "We arrived at our sighting location at 4:36 pm EST (sunset: 5:09 pm) and started scanning the expected crescent location, using a pair of binoculars (7X50). Venus was sighted with the binoculars and with the naked eye at 4:40 and 4:49 pm, respectively. The first crescent sighting was at 5:14 with the binoculars and at 5:20 with naked eye. My son also sighted the moon soon after. The western horizon was clear with some haze. The horns were at 3:00 and 7:30 O'clock (3:00;5:00;7:30). We left the location at 5:45 pm (moonset: 6:27 pm EST)."
Mon 26 December 2011
Pakistan
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alam Sultan from karachi City in sindh State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Alam Sultan said: "On my request, Today (Monday, 26th December 2011 = 30 Muharram 1433 in Pakistan) many hundred persons (Members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon all over Pakistan and resultantly easily sighted the crescent at more than 25 places in all 4 provinces. As this moon had good conditions therefore it was seen at some places even 8 to 10 minutes before sunset. Generally it was clear countrywide."
The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries
Mon 26 December 2011
1 . Iran
2 . Malaysia
3 . Nigeria
4 . Oman
5 . Saudi Arabia
6 . Trinidad and Tobago
7 . United Kingdom
Tue 27 December 2011
1 . Pakistan
2 . South Africa
When to Observe Muharram Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Saturday 24 December 2011) at 18:06 UT.
Sighting the OLD crescent on (Saturday 24 December 2011) and on (Friday 23 December 2011) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-
- It is impossible to see the OLD crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day rises after the Sunrise and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunrise.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color.. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
- The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
- The crescent cannot be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon rises in these locations before the Sunrise and the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunrise, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
- Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.
Muharram Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
Fri 23 December 2011
Algeria
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohamed Isa Moussa from Guerrara City in Ghardaia State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Mohamed Isa Moussa said: "The planet mercury appear in the left top of the crescent and the Antares star of the scorpion constellation appear in the right of the crescent "
