International Astronomy: It will be impossible to see the Ramadan crescent on Tuesday in all regions of the Arab and Islamic world.

Arab Weather - The International Astronomy Center announced that the sighting of the crescent moon of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH on Tuesday, February 17, will be impossible or not possible from all regions of the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye, using a telescope, or even through the latest astronomical imaging technologies.

The center explained, according to a report by its director, Muhammad Shawkat Awda, that global astronomical calculations and approved standards, including the standards of Ibn Tariq, Fotheringham, Maunder and Bruin, confirm that it is not possible to see the crescent from any region, because the moon will set before or at sunset in most countries, which prevents its appearance in the sky for any means of observation.

The report indicated that countries that rely on the correct sighting of the crescent moon to determine the beginning of the month will complete the month on Tuesday, the 29th of Sha’ban, and Thursday, February 19th will be the first day of Ramadan, with the possibility of some countries that rely on other astronomical conditions differing, where Wednesday, February 18th may be the first day of the month for them.

The report explained that the moon will set at different times across the Arab world; in Jakarta, six minutes before sunset, in the Emirates, one minute before, and in Riyadh, 42 seconds before. In Tabuk, it will set with the sunset, while in Amman, it will set similarly to Tabuk, and in Cairo and the Maghreb countries, a few minutes after sunset.

The center confirmed that seeing the crescent moon on Tuesday is impossible, even with the naked eye or using a telescope, because the moon will remain below the internationally known minimum for observing the crescent. Also, the rise of rumors or false testimonies on Tuesday evening may mislead the inexperienced, especially with Venus close to the moon’s position in the sky.

The center noted that some Islamic countries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Morocco and Mauritania, will be observing the crescent moon on Wednesday, February 18, with the possibility of easily seeing the crescent moon in cities such as Abu Dhabi, Mecca, Amman, Jerusalem, Cairo and Rabat, due to the moon remaining visible for a sufficient period after sunset and the appropriate age of the crescent moon.

The center stressed that astronomical and jurisprudential recommendations confirm the futility of searching for the crescent moon on days when the moon is absent before or at sunset, in accordance with the Prophetic tradition and precise scientific standards, to avoid errors in announcing the beginning of the month.