------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Message 8; Postmarked Mon Mar 2 01:21:45 1992 From: Mohib.N.Durrani Subject: CRESCENT SIGHTING - WED 4 MARCH 1992 - RAMADAN. To: egypt-net@das.harvard.edu Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim ( I begin with the name of ALLAH, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful ) THE MUSLIM STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (MSA) of COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 102 Earl Hall, Columbia University, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10027 SUBJECT: CRESCENT MOON: FIRST VISIBILITY (every lunar month) ************************************************************** NEXT CRESCENT (NEW) MOON, HILAL: Wed 4 MAR 1992, evening (*) The first sightings may be in Alaska or Hawaii, then, after the International Date Line, most of the nothern hemisphere will sight the Crescent on Thu 5 Mar 1992, some of the southern hemisphere will sight the Crescent on Fri 6 Mar 1992. RAMADAN (the month of FASTING) the 9th. Islamic Month in 1412 AH will start on Fri 6 Mar 1992, inshallah, for most of the Northern Hemisphere. It is IMPOSSIBLE for the Crescent Moon to be visible on the evening of Wed 4 Mar 1992, anywhere east of the Americas. See also postings in Soc.culture.african, ..arabic, ..pakistan, ..turkish for the significance of the Islamic month of RAMADAN and for LAIL ATUL QADR (The night of Power) which is better than a thousand months. (*) Hilal (crescent) sightings would be in the evenings, at least 10 minutes after sunset, usually before 20 minutes, and upto 40 to 90 minutes after sunset; near and along the sun's path. ********************************************************************** * WORLD RECORD: "THE YOUNGEST NAKED-EYE CRESCENT MOON SIGHTING" * * "BADAT & AL-THANI SIGHTING": 13 hrs 24 min after New Moon Phase * * Friday 5 May 1989 from Houston, Texas, USA * * Ref: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol 83/3, Pages 34-36 * * Newsletter/Bulletin, June 1989 * ********************************************************************** We are conducting research/survey on the recorded WORLD-WIDE first sightings of the "CRESCENT MOON, FIRST VISIBILITY" in the evenings, for every lunar month. Some TECHNICAL INFO. is at the end. PHOTOGRAPHS / SLIDES ARE MOST WELCOME since they are very helpful in the research. Please also pass on the request to your friends who are interested in astronomy/physics and to your local amateur astronomy associations. We would very much like to hear from you. Please respond either by email or by letter. The survey results are to enhance the present ATMOSPHERIC MODEL and fine tune some parameters regarding SCATTERING/VISION. When reporting actual Crescent-Hilal sightings, (even if you do not see it) PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: HILAL was visible to naked eye?......... Hilal sighted in binoculars?........ EXACT TIMES: Complete Sunset at......... Hilal First Visible....... End...... HEIGHT-Degrees: Hilal highest........... Hilal lowest (faded/set)............ ORIENTATION: Ends of Hilal Curve: Start at......'O Clock:End at.....'O Clock (Right is 3'O Clock:Bottom is 6'O Clock:Left is 9'O Clock:Top is 12'O Clock) WEATHER condition: Rel.Humidity......... Temperature..... Pressure........... Sky near western horizon: Clear?........ Hazy?........... Cloudy?............ OBSERVER: Age.... Eyesight: Glasses?.... Far sighted?.... Near sighted?...... Name....................... Date........ Location............................ Thanks. Email to: mnd@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani) Mail: Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association (Research Division) 601 West 113 Street, Suite 11-K Columbia University NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025 United States of America **************************************************************************** Some ORBITAL details for the SUN and MOON: Lunation No.: 856 NEW MOON (not crescent visible moon): 1992 March 4d 13h 22m UT (Universal Time), Wednesday. (Universal Time, i.e. mean solar time on the meridian of Greenwich) EQUATORIAL coords.(at 0h UT) ECLIPTIC coords.(at 0h UT) Date Sun Sun MOON MOON Sun MOON MOON MOON MAR R.A. Decl. R.A. Decl. Long. Long. Lat. true Elong '92 Alpha Delta Alpha Delta Lambda Lambda Beta from Sun hr deg hr deg deg deg deg deg * 4 Wd 23.00 -6.36 22.51 -4.68 343.77 337.55 4.36 W 8 5 Th 23.06 -5.98 23.25 +0.35 344.78 349.75 4.80 E 7 6 Fr 23.13 -5.59 24.00 +5.44 345.78 2.11 5.01 E 17 **************************************************************************** 1992 MARCH 4 (Wed) evening Event times are approximate 1412 RAMADAN (9th Islamic Month) Civil - clock - Standard times (nearest) (+N,-S) (W) SUN MOON MOON-AGE MOON-SUN Unaided-Eye CITY LAT LONG SET SET At-Sunset Alt/AzDif SIGHTING *********** deg deg h m h m h m deg deg ********** MAKKAH-S.Arab 20 320 18 26 19 15 2 04 1 5 IMPOSSIBLE DAR SALAM-Tnz -10 320 18 39 18 29 2 17 -2 5 IMPOSSIBLE MOSCOW - USSR 56 320 18 01 18 18 1 39 3 3 IMPOSSIBLE ISTANBUL-Turk 40 330 17 55 18 04 2 33 3 4 IMPOSSIBLE CAIRO - Egypt 30 330 18 01 18 05 2 39 2 5 IMPOSSIBLE KHARTOUM-Sudn 15 330 18 08 18 07 2 46 0 5 IMPOSSIBLE @ CAPETOWN-S.Af -35 340 19 13 18 53 3 51 -3 4 IMPOSSIBLE LAGOS-Nigeria 10 355 18 31 18 30 4 09 0 5 IMPOSSIBLE % GREENWICH-Engl 50 0 17 47 18 07 4 25 3 3 IMPOSSIBLE ALGIERS-Algra 35 5 18 18 18 30 4 56 3 4 IMPOSSIBLE DAKAR-Senegal 10 20 19 31 19 34 6 09 2 5 IMPOSSIBLE RIO DeJENEIRO -20 45 18 24 18 18 8 02 0 6 IMPOSSIBLE PARAMARIBO-Suri 0 55 18 55 18 59 8 33 2 6 IMPOSSIBLE @ BUNOS ARESarg -35 60 19 33 19 19 9 11 -2 6 IMPOSSIBLE LIMA-Peru S.A -10 80 18 39 18 41 10 17 1 7 IMPOSSIBLE (#) = May be visible on Previous Evening, with Difficulty. (@) = May NOT be visible even on Next Evening. % (add 1 hr to event time, during summer DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, from nearly early April to nearly end of October) **************************************************************************** It is IMPOSSIBLE for the Crescent Moon to be visible on the evening of Wed 4 Mar 1992, anywhere east of the Americas. **************************************************************************** 1992 MARCH 4 (Wed) evening Event times are approximate 1412 RAMADAN (9th Islamic Month) Civil - clock - Standard times (nearest) (+N,-S) (W) SUN MOON MOON-AGE MOON-SUN Unaided-Eye CITY LAT LONG SET SET At-Sunset Alt/AzDif SIGHTING *********** deg deg h m h m h m deg deg ********** % HALIFAX -CNDA 44 65 18 13 18 40 8 31 6 3 IMPOSSIBLE % NEW YORK -USA 40 75 17 56 18 21 9 34 6 3 IMPOSSIBLE % JACKSONVIL-Fl 30 80 18 21 18 42 9 59 5 4 IMPOSSIBLE % CHICAGO - USA 40 90 17 56 18 24 10 34 6 3 IMPOSSIBLE % DALLAS - USA 35 100 18 39 19 05 11 17 6 4 IMPOSSIBLE % DENVER - USA 40 105 17 56 18 26 11 34 7 3 IMPOSSIBLE % SAN DIEGO-USA 35 115 17 39 18 08 12 17 7 4 IMPOSSIBLE % SAN FRANCISCO 40 120 17 56 18 29 12 34 7 3 IMPOSSIBLE % VANCOUVER-CND 50 125 18 08 18 51 12 46 8 2 IMPOSSIBLE % ANCHORAGE-Als 62 150 18 33 19 39 14 11 8 0 DIFFICULT % HONOLULU -Hwi 20 160 18 46 19 13 15 24 7 5 PROBABLE (#) = May be visible on Previous Evening, with Difficulty. (@) = May NOT be visible even on Next Evening. % (add 1 hr to event time, during summer DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, from nearly early April to nearly end of October) The HILAL (Crescent) SIGHTING COMMITTEE for USA-Canada has decided that when the CRESCENT is VISIBLE - in the evening - anywhere from Halifax, NewYork, Jacksonville, SanDiego, SanFrancisco, to Vancouver, then in the USA-Canada, the next ISLAMIC MONTH STARTS from SUNSET of THAT DATE. The DAY that is shared (Islamic and Gregorian) is the next Gregorian date. (INCREASE date one day, if crossing EAST TO WEST) ##################### INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE ###################### (DECREASE date one day, if crossing WEST TO EAST) 1992 MARCH 4 (Wed) evening Event times are approximate 1412 RAMADAN (9th Islamic Month) Civil - clock - Standard times (nearest) (+N,-S) (W) SUN MOON MOON-AGE MOON-SUN Unaided-Eye CITY LAT LONG SET SET At-Sunset Alt/AzDif SIGHTING *********** deg deg h m h m h m deg deg ********** @ SYDNEY-Austra -35 210 18 34 18 04 NOT BORN -5 1 IMPOSSIBLE TOKYO - Japan 35 220 17 38 17 27 NOT BORN -1 5 IMPOSSIBLE PEKING -China 40 245 18 15 18 10 NOT BORN 0 5 IMPOSSIBLE @ JAKARTA-Indon -10 250 18 00 17 41 NOT BORN -3 3 IMPOSSIBLE DHAKA -B.Desh 20 270 18 06 17 58 NOT BORN 0 5 IMPOSSIBLE AGRA - India 30 280 17 41 17 38 NOT BORN 0 4 IMPOSSIBLE PESHAWAR -Pak 35 290 18 18 18 18 NOT BORN 0 5 IMPOSSIBLE BUKHARA -Uzbk 40 295 18 35 18 38 0 13 1 4 IMPOSSIBLE TEHRAN - Iran 35 310 17 38 17 42 1 16 2 4 IMPOSSIBLE (#) = May be visible on Previous Evening, with Difficulty. (@) = May NOT be visible even on Next Evening. **************************************************************************** Please note that the Islamic dates start from Sundown of a previous day. **************************************************************************** Ref: ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA (Yearly) Nautical Almanac Office, Wash. DC. **************************************************************************** ISLAMIC GREGORIAN MOON - MOON - MOON - MOON - MOON Sun - EARTH YEAR. YEAR. NEW MOON MOON-PERIGEE MOON-APOGEE MONTHS LUNA. (NOT visible) (nearest) (farthest) NO. (All times are in UT = Universal Time) 1412 *1991* d h m d h d h d h 1 MUHARAM 848 JUL 11 19 06 JUL 11 10 JUL 24 11 JUL 6 15 Aphelion 2 SAFR 849 AUG 10 02 28 AUG 8 18 AUG 20 23 3 RABI-I 850 SEP 8 11 01 SEP 5 19 SEP 17 15 SEP 23 13 Equinox 4 RABI-II 851 OCT 7 21 39 OCT 2 18 OCT 15 11 5 JUMA-I 852 NOV 6 11 11 OCT 27 16 NOV 12 08 6 JUMA-II 853 DEC 6 03 56 NOV 24 02 DEC 10 02 DEC 22 09 Solstice DEC 22 09 1412 *1992* d h m d h d h d h 7 RAJAB 854 JAN 4 23 10 JAN 19 22 JAN 6 12 JAN 3 15 Perihelon 8 SHABAN 855 FEB 3 19 00 FEB 17 11 FEB 2 12 * 9 RAMADAN 856 MAR 4 13 22 MAR 16 18 FEB 29 21 10 SHAWWAL 857 APR 3 05 01 APR 13 07 MAR 28 14 MAR 20 09 Equinox 11 ZulQADA 858 MAY 2 17 44 MAY 8 12 APR 25 10 12 ZulHAJJ 859 JUN 1 03 57 JUN 4 02 MAY 23 05 1413 *1992* d h m d h d h d h 1 MUHARAM 860 JUN 30 12 18 JUL 2 01 JUN 19 22 JUN 21 03 Solstice 2 SAFR 861 JUL 29 19 35 JUL 30 08 JUL 17 11 3 RABI-I 862 AUG 28 02 42 AUG 27 18 AUG 13 16 4 RABI-II 863 SEP 26 10 40 SEP 25 03 SEP 9 19 SEP 22 19 Equinox 5 JUMA-I 864 OCT 25 20 34 OCT 23 05 OCT 7 06 6 JUMA-II 865 NOV 24 09 11 NOV 19 00 NOV 3 23 7 RAJAB 866 DEC 24 00 43 DEC 13 21 DEC 1 20 DEC 21 15 Solstice DEC 29 17 1413 *1993* d h m d h d h d h 8 SHABAN 867 JAN 22 18 27 JAN 10 12 JAN 26 10 JAN 4 03 Perihelon 9 RAMADAN 868 FEB 21 13 05 FEB 7 20 FEB 22 18 10 SHAWWAL 869 MAR 23 07 14 MAR 8 09 MAR 21 19 MAR 20 15 Equinox 11 ZulQADA 870 APR 21 23 49 APR 5 19 APR 18 05 12 ZulHAJJ 871 MAY 21 14 06 MAY 4 00 MAY 15 22 MAY 31 11 1414 *1993* d h m d h d h d h 1 MUHARAM 872 JUN 20 01 52 JUN 25 17 JUN 12 16 JUN 21 09 Solstice **************************************************************************** Equinox = Earth has Equal Daylight and Darkness (Mar 21 & Sept 23) Solstice = Sun apparantly Stationary in Declination (Maximum of Summer: June 21 & Min. of Winter: Dec 22) Perihelion = Earth Closest to Sun (Sun moving FASTEST in sky: Jan 3) Aphelion = Earth Farthest from Sun (Sun moving SLOWEST in sky: Jul 6) Perigee = Moon Closest to Earth (Moon moving FASTEST in sky) Apogee = Moon Farthest from Earth (Moon moving SLOWEST in sky) **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** APPROXIMATIONS TO DIRECTION OF KA'BA (MAKKAH Saudi Arabia) In most places of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, an APPROXIMATION to the direction of KA'BA, to determine the DIRECTION OF SALAT (PRAYERS), can be obtained by noting the direction of your SHADOW near the time of SUNSET. The direction in which your shadow goes is usually a little north of east DURING WINTER. This is the direction in which salat can be performed, as an approximation. This direction of the shadow changes during the different months of the year but is a good approximation when there is no magnetic compass to determine the exact direction. During summer, the shadow goes south of east and hence we would have to turn further north from the shadow, ie. further to the left of the evening shadow. For locations in the West of America the direction is even further North from the shadow, ie. even further to the left of the shadow. **************************************************************************** Copyright Dr.M.N.Durrani, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 Permission to copy for free distribution is granted to all, please do give credit and reference. Thanks. For further information, please feel free to contact: Mail: Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association (Research Division) 601 West 113 Street, Suite 11-K Columbia University NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025 United States of America Email to: mnd@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Mohib.N.Durrani) ***************************** End of Document ****************************** Look For The CRESCENT MOON ( HILAL ), --- >>> ) It Is One Of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF CREATIONS; ---- >>>> ) Then Offer An INTENSE PRAYER To The ONE CREATOR, ---- >>>> ) All Sincere DEVOTIONS Are Surely ACCEPTED. --- >>> ) Postmarked Mon Mar 2 01:22:34 1992 From: Mohib.N.Durrani Subject: CRESCENT MOON SIGHTING - HINTS. Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim ( I begin with the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful ) THE MUSLIM STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (MSA) of COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 102 Earl Hall, Columbia University, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10027 HILAL (CRESCENT MOON) SIGHTINGS ******************************* Dr. Mohibullah N. DURRANI, Syed Zafaruddin Sayeed. Muslim Students Association Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association 102 Earl Hall, Columbia University NEW YORK, N.Y. 10027 Email to: mnd@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Mohib.N.Durrani) *************************************************************************** SOME INFO ON LUNAR SIGHTINGS **************************** CONTENTS: A. Youngest Naked-Eye Crescent Moon Sighting B. Crescent Moon Sighting Survey C. Direction for Kabah D. Lunar Orbit: 1. The SUN 2. The EARTH 3. The MOON 4. ATMOSPHERIC Optics 5. HUMAN Optics 6. International DATE-LINE (SOLAR) 7. International LUNAR DATE-LINE 8. ISLAMIC Considerations 9. Information on CRESCENT MOON SIGHTINGS and HINTS 10. APPARANT SIGHTINGS, HONEST and SINCERE MISTAKES 11. References 12. Figures *************************************************************************** WORLD RECORD: "THE YOUNGEST NAKED-EYE CRESCENT MOON SIGHTING" "THE BADAT & AL-THANI SIGHTING" ***************************** Ref: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol 83/3, Pages 34-36 Newsletter/Bulletin, June 1989 The YOUNGEST naked-eye CRESCENT MOON of 13 hours and 24 minutes was sighted on Friday 5 May 1989 at Houston, Texas, USA by two separate groups of people thus making a NEW WORLD RECORD. The previous record was of 14 hours and 30 minutes on 2 May 1916 at Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. The first of the two groups consisted of FIVE people who sighted the Crescent Moon and the second of the two groups, located at a different place, comprised of THREE people. The first group who sighted the Crescent Moon consisted of the BADAT family: Mr. Mohammed Iqbal Badat, Mrs. Famida Iqbal Badat, Mr. Mohammed Hanif Badat, Mr. Abdul Qadir Badat, and Miss Fatima Badat. The second group comprised of Mr. Saleh Al-Thani, Mr. Nasir Al-Qaouq, and Mr. Aymen Qadorah. This Crescent Moon sighting will henceforth be refered to as the BADAT AND AL-THANI SIGHTING. *************************** **************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** SUBJECT: CRESCENT MOON: FIRST VISIBILITY (every lunar month) ************************************************************** (*) Hilal (crescent) sightings would be in the evenings, at least 10 minutes after sunset, usually before 20 minutes, and upto 40 to 90 minutes after sunset; near and along the sun's path. We are conducting research/survey on the recorded WORLD-WIDE first sightings of the "CRESCENT MOON, FIRST VISIBILITY" in the evenings, for every lunar month. Some TECHNICAL INFO. is at the end. PHOTOGRAPHS / SLIDES ARE MOST WELCOME since they are very helpful in the research. Please also pass on the request to your friends who are interested in astronomy/physics and to your local amateur astronomy associations. We would very much like to hear from you. Please respond either by email or by letter. The survey results are to enhance the present ATMOSPHERIC MODEL and fine tune some parameters regarding SCATTERING/VISION. When reporting actual Crescent-Hilal sightings, (even if you do not see it) PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: HILAL was visible to naked eye?......... Hilal sighted in binoculars?........ EXACT TIMES: Complete Sunset at......... Hilal First Visible....... End...... HEIGHT-Degrees: Hilal highest........... Hilal lowest (faded/set)............ ORIENTATION: Ends of Hilal Curve: Start at......'O Clock:End at.....'O Clock (Right is 3'O Clock:Bottom is 6'O Clock: Left is 9'O Clock:Top is 12'O Clock) WEATHER condition: Rel.Humidity......... Temperature..... Pressure........... Sky near western horizon: Clear?........ Hazy?........... Cloudy?............ OBSERVER: Age.... Eyesight: Glasses?.... Far sighted?.... Near sighted?...... Name....................... Date........ Location............................ **************************************************************************** APPROXIMATIONS TO DIRECTION OF KA'BA (MAKKAH Saudi Arabia) In most places of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, an APPROXIMATION to the direction of KA'BA, to determine the DIRECTION OF SALAT (PRAYERS), can be obtained by noting the direction of your SHADOW near the time of SUNSET. The direction in which your shadow goes is usually a little north of east DURING WINTER. This is the direction in which salat can be performed, as an approximation. This direction of the shadow changes during the different months of the year but is a good approximation when there is no magnetic compass to determine the exact direction. During summer, the shadow goes south of east and hence we would have to turn further north from the shadow, ie. further to the left of the evening shadow. For locations in the West of America the direction is even further North from the shadow, ie. even further to the left of the shadow. **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** The following is a brief explanation for the Lunar Orbit and its effects on HILAL (crescent) sightings. (Because of the brevity, some of the terms have been stated approximately.) 1. THE SUN The Sun seems to go around the earth (when our coordinate system is centered at our individual location on the surface of the earth) due to the earth's ROTATION about its axis. The rate of rotation of the earth about its axis is about 360 degrees in 24 hours. This daily rotation of the earth causes night and day. 2. THE EARTH In addition to rotation, the earth REVOLVES about the sun at a rate of about one revolution in one year. This annual revolution of the earth causes the seasons. There is actually another reason for the seasons. The axis of rotation of the earth about itself is inclined to the plane of revolution of the earth about the sun, the axis is not perpendicular to the plane of revolution. The inclination of the axis of rotation of the earth is about 23-1/4 degrees from the perpendicular to the plane of revolution of the earth about the sun. This is the reason for the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn being at 23-1/4 degrees North and South of the Equator, respectively. The Arctic Circle and the Antartic Circle are the same 23-1/4 degrees from the North Pole and the South Pole, respectively. This plane of revolution formed by the elliptic path of the earth around the sun is called the ECLIPTIC. The inclination of the axis of rotation of the earth on its axis to the plane of revolution of the earth around the sun (this inclination is approximately fixed in space) causes the different hemishperes (north and south) of the earth to face the sun more directly at different times in a year and hence collect more solar energy during those months. Hence summers are around July in the northern hemesphere and are during January in the southern hemisphere. While there is summer in the northern hemisphere there is winter in the southern hemisphere. This inclination is also the reason for `days' of 6 months, `nights' of 6 months and for the occasion of the `midnight-sun' in the polar regions. 3. THE MOON The Moon revolves around the earth in a plane only slightly inclined to the Ecliptic, about 5 degrees. Hence the Crescent Moon is visible close to the daily path of the setting Sun ( max. 5 deg. above or below the Sun's path). The yearly path of the Sun - relative to the earth - is the ECLIPTIC. The Moon always points approximately the same side to Earth, even when the moon is crescent or full. The slight vibrations of the moon about its mean pointing direction towards the earth is called LIBRATION. Libration angle is less than approximately 10 degrees in the North-South or in the East-West directions of moon-pointing- to-earth vector. Librations are considered in the CRESCENT VISIBILITY model since different parts of the edge of the moon would form the crescent at different months. The moon has also to be beyond a certain minimum angular seperation from the sun - as viewed by an observer on the earth's surface - for the crescent to be sufficiently illuminated so that the crescent may be visible. This angular separation of the moon from the sun (elongation) is indicated approximately by the AGE OF THE MOON, since its birth (the `new moon'), for the particular lunar month (lunation). The minumum recorded age of the crescent moon for first visibility is around 13 1/2 hours. For a terestrial observer, the moon aparently revolves slower than the sun around the earth (about 1/2 deg.per hour slower) and hence the moon sets at a later time every day as compared to the sunset time. (Relative average retardation of the moon is 1/2 deg/hr = 12 deg/day) Time for one Rotation (360deg) is 24 Hr x 60 min. Hence time to makeup the additional 12 deg rotation = 12 x 24x60/360 = 48 min. This is the average daily delay in moonsets. This quantity varies considerably in latitudes far from the equator. There are many other factors which are not being mentioned in detail, at present, since they are being investigated theoretically and emperically, and have not yet been quantified accurately. Some of these additional factors are the inclination of the Lunar path to the horizon and hence the vision contrast between the crescent and the colored, bright twilight sky, the reflectance of different parts of the lunar surface (moonlight is ofcourse only reflected sunlight), the moon-earth and the moon-sun distances, lunar librations, etc. 4. ATMOSPHERIC OPTICS The atmosphere is neither completely transparent nor is it `colorless'. The aerosols, water-vapor, dust and other particles - of different sizes and at various altitudes - form the phenomena of `Blue Sky', red twilights etc. The optics of scattering, dispersion, diffusion, polarization, absorption etc. interact with each other to give the integrated color and brightness of twilight - which changes with time, location in the sky, and the amount of particulates in the environment. Meterological information averaged over many years and estimated for different terestrial locations and time of the year give average conditions which are further refined based on short term forcasts. The atmospheric pressure can be determined from a barometer and the relative humidity (RH) from an RH instrument or from the dry & wet bulb temperatures. An easier way would be to see the local newspaper giving the info for that particular day or the local meteorological department can give the info on Atmospheric Pressure, Relative Humidity and Temperature. 5. HUMAN OPTICS The human eye has characteristics of pupil size, night adaptation, visual acuity of contrast etc. Physiological studies corelate the reduction of pupil size with age of observer, sharper visual acuity for females (as compared to males), and generally better vision in children than in adults. 6. INTERNATIONAL DATE-LINE (SOLAR) The International Date-line corresponds approximately with the 180 degree meridian and it is where the calendar dates are separated. The date is advanced by one day when crossing this 180 deg meridian in a westerly direction (from east to west, across the imaginary line) and the date is set back by one day when crossing it in an easterly direction (from west to east, across this imaginary line). 7. INTERNATIONAL LUNAR DATE-LINE In recent times, the Malaysian Astronomer (with the sub-continent background of Aligarh Muslim University) Muhammad Ilyas, has been the first to propose an International Lunar Date-line (ILD). This line is actually those places where the crescent moon is first visible for any particular lunar month. It is in the refining of the range of `thickness' of this line that most of the research for crescent observations is being done. In America, muslim astronomers and amateur astronomers like Dr. Kamal Abdali, Dr. Umar Afzal, Dr. Imad Ahmad, Dr. Rauf Imam, Dr. Mohibullah N. Durrani, Profs. Fakhraddine Karray, Ali Kyrale, Charles Evans, Syed Zafaruddin Sayeed, etc. have contributed both to the analytical calculations and to the dissemination of astro-information and consciousness to muslims. Dr. Kamal Abdali has also prepared the PRAYER TIMES book for many cities in America (published by ISNA) as far back as 1978. The first major CRESCENT SIGHTING seminar held in USA was probably the one of August 1985, organized in New York by Br. Syed Zafaruddin Sayeed and Dr. Umar Afzal, in which Dr. Kamal Abdali had presented computer plots of predicted lunar sighting curves, overlaid on a world map. The next major seminar in USA was organized by the International Institute of Islamic Thought, Reston, Va. Tel (703) 471-1133 in June 1987. The Malaysian astronomer, Muhammad Ilyas, was the keynote speaker. There were other speakers - astronomers, amateurs, from the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, NASA - Islamic scholars, who presented the current islamic views. This was followed by the third seminar organized by Br. Syed Zafar Sayeed and Dr. Umar Afzal in New York on June 1988, further elaborating recent findings. A lecture was also presented at the 15th Annual Convention of the Association of Muslim Scientists and Engineers (ASME) on October 1989 by Dr. Mohib Durrani and Br. Syed Zafaruddin Sayeed. 8. ISLAMIC CONSIDERATIONS The Fiqh Council of North America (ISNA) states (April 1988): " ... Criteria for determining the beginning and end of Ramadan. ... The Fiqh Council, after deliberation and review of the past criteria, fiqh opinions, and contemporary positions of Muslim scholars in North America and in the Muslim world, has decided to follow the authentic, well-founded, and widely accepted position of IKHTILAAF AL-MATAALI (literally, different horizons or different places of sighting), which states that each locality should make its own sighting of the crescent. The Fiqh Council, therefore, has concluded that North America should be considered as one MATLA (place of sighting) and that Muslims of North America should depend solely on crescent sightings in North America. ... The Fiqh Council also concluded that the date for the Eid al-Adha will coincide with the date announced in MECCA for the day of Eid al-Adha." The Fiqh Council of North America (ISNA) states (March 1989): " ... Based on our decision of last year to follow the fiqh position of IKHTILAF AL-MATAALI (depending on moon sightings within your region), the Fiqh Council will depend only upon the physical sighting of the crescent in North America to determine the beginning and end of Ramadan. ... " 9. INFORMATION ON CRESCENT MOON SIGHTINGS AND HINTS On an evening previous to the Moon Sighting evening, it is advisable to find a place with a clear Western Horizon (ie. without any buildings or trees obstructing the place where the sun sets on the western horizon). Observe and note down the approximate angle of inclination of the PATH OF THE SUN while it is setting. This inclination of the path of the setting sun from the horizontal is nearly equal to the co-latitude (= 90 - latitude) of the observing location. In order to obtain an idea as to approximately WHERE TO SEEK THE CRESCENT MOON, the following information on lunar orbit is useful. The PATH OF THE CRESCENT MOON while it is setting will be nearly parallel to the path of the setting Sun. The path of the Moon will be CLOSE to the path of setting Sun, being at a maximum of about 5 degrees (usually it is less than the +/- 5 deg) `above' or `below' the path of the sun, when observed from the surface of the earth. The Crescent Moon will also be TRAILING the Sun by about 5 to 20 degrees, for a particular observing point. The earliest sightings in the world would have the moon trailing the sun by the least angle. The Trailing angle of the Moon from the Sun can be estimated from the Orbital details and the location of the observer. The HORNS OF THE CRESCENT MOON (ie. the ends of the approximately less than semi-circular arc of the Crescent) will always point in a direction approximately opposite to the location of the sun, the sun already being below the horizon. The DURATION of the sighting would begin at least 10 minutes after the sun has set, to allow the twilight to reduce in spectral intensity, while the first sighting is usually before 20 minutes after sunset. The sighting could continue for about 40 to 90 or more minutes after sunset. The sighting would finally be `fading' when the crescent is a few degrees above the horizon. The fading is due to atmospheric extinction caused by absorption. In order to isolate the Crescent from twilight glare it is helpful to have any hollow tube and to search for the crescent while looking through the tube. 10. `APPARANT SIGHTINGS', HONEST AND SINCERE `MISTAKES': Of course, the Crescent Moon has to set and not appear to `rise' in the western horizon. A WISP OF CLOUD, which happened to be lit by the sun which has already set, could easily be mistaken for a crescent. This apparant `crescent' of cloud would travel with the prevailing winds and would not set in a path nearly parallel to the path of the setting sun. It could `rise' instead of set or may travel north-east or south-east insted of setting in the west. REFLECTIONS from high-flying aeroplanes. These reflections of the sun on aeroplanes would not have the semi-circular arced shape of the crescent and the probability of their path being close to a lunar path is minute. The reflections could disappear while still being high up on the horizon. MOMENTARY VISIBILITY of the crescent. It might appear that the crescent was `visible' for a moment by a single Shahid (witness). A crescent would always be visible for at least 5 minutes (if unobstructed by clouds, etc.) and hence should be again visible by the person first seeing it, and should be able to be seen by others in a group, when pointed out. All should examine the crescent carefully and try to ascertain its path and the direction of its horns. A note should be made of the time of sunset, time (and vertical angular height = altitude) when the crescent was first visible and again the time (and vertical angular height = altitude) when the crescent faded away near the horizon. The vertical angular distance, which is the altitude of any heavenly body, is measured from the horizon. 11. REFERENCES: Some books that deal with muslim contributions to Math and especialy astronomy are the following: ISLAMIC CALENDAR, TIMES & QIBLA Muhammad Ilyas, 1984, 256 pages Berita Publishers, Malaysia ASTRONOMY OF ISLAMIC TIMES FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY Muhammad Ilyas, 1989, 254 pages Mansell Publishers, London MUSLIM CONTRIBUTION TO CIVILIZATION H.Bammate, 1962, 62 pages Islamic Center, Geneva STUDIES IN THE ISLAMIC EXACT SCIENCES E.S.Kennedy, 1983, 771 pages American University of Beirut ISLAMIC MATHEMATICAL ASTRONOMY D.A.King, 1986, 233 pages Variorum Reprints 12. FIGURES: 12A. PATH OF THE MOON RELATIVE TO THE PATH OF THE SUN ***************************************************** (THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR A TYPICAL PLACE IN THE NORTHERN HEMI-SPHERE, IN THE SOUTHERN HEMI-SPHERE, THE PATH SLOPES DOWN AND LEFT.) \ \ --> \ \ <--------- Max. angular separation \ \ +/- 5 deg (moon-sun paths) \ \ P \ \ A \ \ T \ \ H P \ \ A \ \ T \ (( CRESCENT (HILAL) H \ (( MOON -------------------------------- \ \\ // ^ O \ == (if moon's path is | F \ `above' sun's path) | \ | S \ | \ O U \ | \ F A N \ | \ L \ | \ M T. /\ \ O // \ \ O D (90 - LATITUDE) =~ ANGLE of \ \ N I (= COLATITUDE) Inclination | \ \ F // | \ \ F. ========================= \ ================================ WESTERN | \ HORIZON | | \ | | | | \/ SUN v | --(@@)-- -------------------------- | /\ SUN | (has already set) | | | ----->| |<----- | AZIMUTH | DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOON & SUN 12B. ALTITUDE OF MOON AT SUNSET ******************************* ) )) CRESCENT )) MOON )) ) / / / / / /\ Angle of Height of Moon, / \ = Altitude of Moon ( ) ----------------------------------------- \/ SUN | / HORIZON - HORIZONTAL --(@@)-- |/ /\ SUN |----- (has just set) | | / \ / \ ______________________________________________________ ////////////////////////////////////////////////////// GROUND GROUND GROUND GROUND GROUND GROUND GROUND Height (degrees) of first sighting: Height (degrees) of last sighting (fading) or moonset: The heights (altitudes) of the crescent are to be noted not only when it is first sighted, but also when it fades while it is going lower in the sky, since the crescent could sometimes fade away - due to atmospheric opacity - even before it sets in the western horizon. 12C. ORIENTATION OF ENDS OF CRESCENT ************************************ AND ITS CURVATURE The orientation of the Crescent is reported with reference to an imaginary clock on the western horizon: IMAGINARY CLOCK ON WESTERN HORIZON 12 'O Clock | ___ ( ) 9 'O Clock -- ( ) -- 3 'O Clock (( )) __ HILAL (Crescent) === Shown from 4 through 6 | to 8'O Clock position 6 'O Clock CRESCENT 1: CRESCENT 2: CRESCENT 3: ( ) ( ) ( ( ) ) ( __ __ ) == From: 7 'O Clock From: 4 'O Clock From: 2 'O Clock To: 10 'O Clock To: 8 'O Clock To: 5 'O Clock Note: The Crescent orientations could be anywhere from around the 2 'O Clock position to the 10 'O Clock positions. The actual extent(length) of the crescent would usually be less than 180 degrees, i.e. 2-7 (this would be 150 deg), 3-9 (this would be 180 deg), 4-9:30 (this would be 165 deg), 5-9:30 (this would be 135 deg) etc. **************************************************************************** Copyright Dr.M.N.Durrani, 1987 to 1992 Permission to copy for free distribution is granted to all, please do give credit and reference. Thanks. For further information, please feel free to contact: Mail: Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association (Research Division) 601 West 113 Street, Suite 11-K Columbia University NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025 United States of America Email to: mnd@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Mohib.N.Durrani) ***************************** End of Document ******************************  Look For The CRESCENT MOON ( HILAL ), --- >>> ) It Is One Of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF CREATIONS; ---- >>>> ) Then Offer An INTENSE PRAYER To The ONE CREATOR, ---- >>>> ) All Sincere DEVOTIONS Are Surely ACCEPTED. --- >>> ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------