Al Muhammad's report for Safar Crescent
(1424 AH)
Last Updated 19 Aptil 2003
realname: Al Muhammad
First Name: Anwar
City: Qatif
State: Eastern
Country: Saudi Arabia
Longitude: 49:57
Latitude: 26:33
Zone: 3
Academic Degree: MASTER
Institution: kfupm
Age: 30
Mailing Address: P O Box# 61091, Qatif 31911
Date: 3 April 2003
Day: Thursday
Apparent-Sunset: 4:46
Sunset-Location: Clouds
Instrument: Naked, Tele
Visible?: Seen
Horizon: Clear
Crescent-Location: left
Horn1: 3
Horn2: 9
Naked-Visible?: Seen
NakedFirstVisib: 6:10
NakedLastVisib: 7:02
Bin-Visible?: Not-Tried
Tele-Visible?: Seen
Tele-Magnification: 60
Tele-Diameter: 10"
Tele-Type: Cassegrain, 10", LX 200
Tele-FirstVisib: 5:48
Tele-LastVisib: 7:10
Notes: Yesterday, Wednesday 2 April 2003, we tried to sight the new crescent of Safar in the
eastern area of Saudi Arabia "Al-Aujam- 26:33N, 49:47E". We were not sure that it could be seen
because it remained about 35 minutes after sun set. To do so, we used a computerized 10"
LX-200, and we aligned it at the night before and we checked its alignment and capability by
directing it toward some stars (Aldebran, Hamil) and Saturn which we could see its ring at the
day time. Few members of new established astronomical society in Qatif were sighting but we
could not see the crescent even by the telescope. In the nearby place, some people claimed that
they saw the crescent by the naked eye. We keep the telescope to next day (Thursday 3 April)
the western horizon was clear and the crescent was visible for naked eye.. The observation
events were:
1- The apparent sun set: 5:46pm.
2- First observation of the crescent in telescope: 5:48 pm.
3- The actual sun set from horizon: 5:58pm.
4- First observation with naked eye 6:10 pm.
5- Disappearance of the crescent from the eye piece: 7:10 pm.
We also got a picture (attached in the e-mail) for the crescent by using digital camera.
Begin: Thurisday, 3 April 2003
