International Astronomical Center

• When to Observe ?
• Results of Observation
• The First Day in Different Countries
• The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations.
• Related Links.

The geocentric new Moon will occur Inshalla on Friday (20 February 2004), at 9:18 UT.On this day the program Moon Calculator by Dr. Monzur Ahmed -according to Yallop criterion- showed that it is possible to see the crescent by optical aid from the west coast of South America and eastern Parts of the pacific ocean, and by naked eyes from the western parts of the Pacific. While on the next day (Saturday 21 February 2004) the crescent should be seen easily by naked eye from all countries.

According to the actual sighting of the crescent, the start of Muharram should be on Sunday 22 February 2004 in most of the countries or on Saturday 21 February in South America .

- 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.

• Kuwait
  • ICOP member Mr. Hussain Khshaish: Not seen. ".In Kuwait on Friday 21 Feb. 2004 I & a group of 8 persons could not sight the crescent. The western horizon was also cloudy."

• Saudi Arabia
  • ICOP member Mr. Anwar Al-Muhammad: Not seen. "I with 7 parsons tried to sight the new crescent of Tulhejjah-24, 10 minutes before the time of sun set in Friday, 22 Jan 2004, in the eastern area of Saudi Arabia “Al-Aujam- 26:33N, 49:47E” at the observatory of Qatif Astronomy Society (QAS). We used a computerized 10” LX-200, GPS, telescope. The western horizon was partially cloudy. In Fact we knew that it is almost impossible to see the crescent at that day but it is part of our activities. For more information see www.qasweb.org. "

• Jordan
  • ICOP member Dr. Tarek Katbeh: Not seen. " 2 members of JAS tried to observe the crescent from Marj Elhamam (15 KM to SE of Amman), but it was not seen. The western horizon was hazy and partly cloudy."

• South Africa
  • ICOP member Mr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim: Not seen.

• Malaysia
  • ICOP member Dr. Zainol Abidin Ibrahim: Seen. "There was a band of thick cloud at the western sky but low in altitude. The cresent was seen above this band of cloud by our group, first only by the telescope then some time later by naked eye."
  • ICOP member Mr. Baharrudin Zainal: Seen. "About 50 students join the observation. After 5 minutes of the first visibility, all the participants can see the crescent either with telescope, theodolite, binocular or by naked eyes."

• Iran
  • ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani: Seen.
    New moon on 18:12 Sat 21 Feb 2004 (Asfahan)

• UAE
  • ICOP member Mr. Abdulkarim Chalermthai: Seen. " crescent was very thin and appear only 10 minuts."

• Kuwait
  • ICOP member Mr. Hussain Khshaish: Seen. "In Kuwait on Sat 21 feb 2004 I could sight moharram crescent first with binocular at 17:35 which is 10 minutes before our local sunset which was at 17:42 then by naked eyes at 17:52 untill 18:44 which is 5 minutes before moonset & with binocular till 18:45 where it was hidden by the glare of the street flood lights .All the other member of the group could also sight the crescent with + or - one minute of the above mentioned timing ."

• Saudi Arabia
  • ICOP member Mr. Anwar Al-Muhammad: Not seen. (Cloudy) " At this day the sky was totally cloudy. Thus, we could not see the crescent or any astronomical objects (including Venus) even 40 minutes after sun set."

• Algeria
  • ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem: Not seen. " It was very hazy in the Ghardaia region. It was not possible to see the sun."

• Morocco
  • ICOP member Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann: Seen. "While returning from our search for the Degree Confluence of 29° North latitude and 10° West longitude in the vicinity of the Moroccan city of Guelmim, my family and me could observe a beautiful crescent in the western sky."

• Nigeria
  • ICOP member Mr. Muhammed Qamardeen: Not seen.

• USA
  • ICOP member Ms. Mary Singer: Seen. "We saw the new lunar crescent (from Spokane, WA) as we were leaving a restaurant after dinner at 1820 Pacific Standard Time. Very easy to see without binoculars, spectacular Earthshine. Not my usual observing place--crescent was very low in the west, Venus at least 60 degrees up."

The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries

Saturday 21 February 2004 : -

1. Kuwait
2. Saudi Arabia

Sunday 22 February 2004 :-

1. Malaysia
2. Iran
3. Jordan
4. Morocco
5. South Africa

To know about the accuracy of the astronomical calculations, then please click here

• Related Programs:-
  • Accurate Times (By Mohammad Odeh).
  • QiblaCalc.
  • Moon Calculator (MoonCalc).
  • Prayer Times (By Dr. Tariq Muneer).
  • Prayer Time Calculator.
  • SalatTimes (Topocentric new Moon, prayer times, and Qiblah direction).

• Astronomical Research Center.
• Astronomy and Islam, by Dr. Monzur Ahmed.
• Astronomy for Islam, by Khalid Shaukat.
• Crescent Observers' Society (South Africa).
• David McNaughton (Islamic Page).
• Dr. Mohib Durrani's Page on Islam & Astronomy.
• Five Millennia Catalog of Phases of the Moon (NASA).
• Hilaal Sighting in Saudi Arabia & Its Implications Worldwide.
• Islamic Calendar.
• Lunar Crescent Visibility, by the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO).
• Umm Al-Qurah Calendar (The Saudi Official Calendar).