International Astronomical Center

In this page:-

• When to Observe ?
• Observing the Crescent
• The First Day in Different Countries
• The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations.

The geocentric new Moon will occur on Saturday 09 October 1999, at 11:34 UT. The program Moon Calculator by Dr. Monzur Ahmed -according to Yallop's criterion- showed that the crescent will be visible by naked eyes on 09 October some where starting from the Pacific Ocean. So, countries west of this area (within the parabola) will be able to see the crescent on this day. However, using telescopes, the crescent could be seen in more eastern areas. On the other hand, countries outside the parabola will see the crescent by naked eyes on the next day (10 October). Consequently, arrange to observe the crescent after the sunset of 09 or 10 October. Kindly click on the below icon to see the visibility parabola as plotted by the program Moon Calculator

Results of seeing the crescent, and the first day of Rajab in different countries will be added here 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.

• Malaysia: ICOP member, Mr. Baharrudin Zainal said: "The moon had been sighted by binocular 2 or 3 minutes after sunset. We using theodolite (surveying instrument) to identified the moon position and binocular to find the moon. Then, we see the moon by binocular first, then by refractor telescope (GOTO f/10, 660mm), then by reflector telescope (Meade, f/10, 10") and by theodolite, at last we see the moon by naked eyes approximately 15 minutes after sunset. There were 25 other people from State Sighting Moon Committee joined the observation and all of them could see the moon by naked eyes."
  Kindly click here to read their report and a photo for the crescent.

• India: ICOP member, Dr. Sultan Ismail said: "Tried my best to locate, but could not see the crescent in our bright city skyline."

• Pakistan: ICOP member, Mr. Omer bin Abdul Aziz said: "I did not see the crescent on Sunday - the sky was hazy near the horizon. Although the moon was officially sited on Sunday in Pakistan."

• Iran: ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi said: "The crescent was thin. The first day of Rajab is Monday, October 11, in IRAN."

• Saudi: ICOP member, Mr. Saleh Al-Saab mentioned that he saw the crescent by binoculars but NOT by naked eyes.

• Jordan: JAS organized a public observation to observe Rajab crescent as well other planets. More than 100 persons attended the observation. As soon as the Sun set, we could see the crescent by 10-inch telescope. Later on, it was visible by binoculars and then most of us saw it by naked eyes. It was not that easy to be spotted by naked eyes. Maybe since we were observing from a bit light polluted area. We were observing from the middle of the capital Amman. Kindly find below a photo for the crescent.
  27-Hour crescent (Rajab 1420), 10-inch telescope.
  Konica 800, 1-Second exposure, 10 October 1999.
  By Moh'd Odeh.

• South Africa:
  • ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "The weather was very overcast. No crescent was seen in Cape Town. However, crescent were sighted in Gauteng Province. The Muslim Judicial Council declared the first night of Rajab 1420."

• Nigeria: ICOP member, Mr. Alabi Isiaq said: "The crescent was not visible between Saturday (09/10) through Sunday (10/10) here due to persistent cloudy weather and rainfall. However, it was visible by Monday (11/10). Hence, Sunday (10/10/99) is taken to be the beginning of a new month of Rajab here."

• Morocco: ICOP member, Dr. Hamid TOUMA said: "During the Sunday 10 October 99, there were some clouds. The crescent was visible across some clouds. So officially the first day of Rajab in Morocco is the Monday 11 October 99."

• Canada: ICOP member, Mr. Mohammad Farooq said: "Once again in Hamilton Ontario Canada, the western horizon was cloudy on observing day for Rajab crescent."

The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations

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