Visibility of Rabee' Al-Aakher Crescent 1433 AH
- When to Observe Rabee' Al-Aakher Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
- Rabee' Al-Aakher Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
- The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries
- When to Observe Rabee' Al-Awwal Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
- Rabee' Al-Awwal Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
When to Observe Rabee' Al-Aakher Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Tuesday 21 February 2012) at 22:35 UT.
Sighting the new crescent on (Tuesday 21 February 2012) and (Wednesday 22 February 2012) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-
- It is impossible to see the crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day sets before the Sunset and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunset.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
- The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
- The crescent cannot be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon sets in these locations after the Sunset and the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunset, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
- Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.
According to the Universal Hejric Calendar (UHC), which is based on the calculated crescent visibility, the start of this month in the Eastern Region will be on Thursday 23 February 2012 and in the Western Region will be on Thursday 23 February 2012. Kindly notice that the UHC is a pre-calculated calendar, which adopts a certain criterion to start the new Hejric month. Your country/organization might adopt different criterion to start the new Hejric month. So it is highly advised to read the UHC website before giving any judgment.
- 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.
Rabee' Al-Aakher Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
Wed 22 February 2012
Algeria
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Hocine Chikh Aissa from Ghardaia City in Ghardaia State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Hocine Chikh Aissa said: "10 persons were prensent in N'tissa station. Rabee Thani Crescent 1433 crescent was not seen neither by naked eyes nor by binoculars .The western horizon was partly hazy and it was very cold and the Wind Obstructed vision of the Crescent, mercure was seen by naked eyes at 18:59." "
Bangladesh
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. ABM Ruhul Hassan from Dhaka City in Dhaka State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was superb, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Germany
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Eng. Martin Elsaesser from Munich City in Bavaria State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was seen by telescope, the crescent was seen by CCD Imaging
Eng. Martin Elsaesser said: "Together with two guests from Arabia i started to observe two hours before sunset from the public observatory in munich, germany. We quickly found the crescent with the imaging system in daytime, at around 9° elongation. I could not see the crescent visually while the sun was in the sky, but the imaging system showed the crescent continuously. A few minutes after sunset, i could find the crescent visually with small refractor at 40x magnification. After some time we could also see it with a 10x50 binoculars and with the darkening skies we could finally find it with the naked eye. With the naked eye, the crescent was hardly visible, you really had to know exactly where to look for it. Still, all three of us saw it, so we were satisfied. Later, we had a splendid view of the ISS flying by, using our large reflector."
Iran
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani from Esfahan City in Esfahan State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was not sought by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Alireza Mehrani said: "Location: Esfahan, Iran Latitude: 32° 35' 26.78" N Longitude: 51° 38' 14.36" E Elevation: 2080 meters from sea level Time zone: +3.5 Observer & photographer: Alireza Mehrani Date: Wednesday February 22, 2012 (Esfand 3, 1390) Temperature: 2.4 C° (36.32 F°) Wind: 7.2 km/h Humidity: 29% Barometer: 846.9 mb Visibility: 10 km Topocentric and local time values from "Moon Calculator" (Refrac off): Crescent first observation through 15x80 binoculars: Time: 18:14 LT (14:44 UT) Moon Alt: 2° 52' 06" Sun Alt: - (4° 53' 02") Elongation: 8° 28' 04" Rel Azi: 3° 24' 36" Moon Width: 0.17' Moon Phase: 0.66% Moon Age: 16h 09m after conjunction Crescent last observation through 15x80 binoculars: Time: 18:26 LT (14:56 UT) Moon Alt: 0° 26' 41" Sun Alt: - (7° 23' 02") Elongation: 8° 32' 52" Rel Azi: 3° 26' 27" Moon Width: 0.17' Moon Phase: 0.67% Moon Age: 16h 21m after conjunction "
2 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Eng. Seyyed Ghasem Rostami from Taft City in Yazd State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Eng. Seyyed Ghasem Rostami said: "The crescent was very narrow at 18:10:08 and distinguished in middling of it. The crescent set at 18:14:30."
Malaysia
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Firdaus Mazlan from Teluk Kemang City in Negeri Sembilan State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Firdaus Mazlan said: "On Wednesday, 22th February 2012 M equal to 29 Rabi-al-Awwal 1433 H, my friend (Mr. Jamaluddin bin Abu Bakar, Muhammad Ibrahim bin Jamil, and Mohd Hizri bin Md Aris) cannot see the new moon either with telescope or with naked eye at Baitul Hilal, Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (02:26:43.0 N , 101:51:16.0 E). It because the horizon is very cloudy. So, tomorrow, 23th February 2012 M (Thursday) is still 30th Rabi-al-Awwal 1433 H. ..... "
Nigeria
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Z.Sani Mustapha from Kaduna City in Kaduna State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Pakistan
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alam Sultan from karachi City in sindh State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Alam Sultan said: "Today, on my request, nearly 100 persons ( members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon all over Pakistan at nearly 17 places but the moon could not be sighted, as it was astronomically expected tonight. It was clear or little hazy at nearly all places. Note 1: Today (Wednesday, 22 February 2012) the conditions of the moon were so defective in the half world especially in Pakistan that according to the all old and new criteria of moon-sighting, there was no solid proof in the history of astronomy to sight such a moon by naked eyes in Pakistan. Note 2: Chairman of central official moon-sighting committee of Pakistan "Mufti Munee-bur-Rahman" told me on my mobile phone that as he did not receive any positive report of moon sighting from all over Pakistan, therefore he officially announced that Thursday 23 February 2012 is the 30th Rabee-ul-Awwal 1433 and 1st Rabee-uth-Thani 1433 will fall on Friday 24th February 2012. Note 3: After some days, inshaallah, a detailed report of this observation will be sent to you or available at www.esnips.com/web/moonnewsofjamiaturrasheed "
Saudi Arabia
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Saleh Al-Saab from Riyadh City in Riyadh State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "Atmosphere was very dusty, the sun disappeared in dust at about 3.5 degrees . "
South Africa
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim from Cape Town City in Western Cape State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
United Kingdom
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Eng. Qamar Uddin from York City in North Yorkshire State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Eng. Qamar Uddin said: "On Wednesday, 22 February 2012 (29 Rabiul Awwal 1433 AH) many people from throughout UK have attempted to sight the crescent moon (Hilal) of Rabiul Thani after sunset. None of the groups were able to sight the Hilal, as most places were totally cloudy and raining (see attached photo). However, we have received reliable sighting reports (Muhaqaq-Ruyat-Basari) from Morocco Awqaf Ministry. Therefore, the Wifaq/Batley Ulama have decided that the month of Rabiul Awwal 1433 AH will have 29 days and the month of Rabiul Thani 1433 AH will start from Thursday 23 February 2012, Insha-Allah."
United States
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Dr. John Caldwell from McDonald Obs City in Texas State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. John Caldwell said: "poor sky (cloud and smoke) but easy ; 6 deg right of mercury"
2 . Time of observation: After sunset. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Javad Torabinejad from Blacksburg City in Virginia State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not sought by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. Javad Torabinejad said: "I arrived at my sighting location at 6:03 pm EST (sunset: 6:08 pm) and started scanning the mostly cloudy western horizon, using a pair of binoculars (7X50). I stayed there till 6:53 pm, hoping for clear patches to appear to no avail (moonset: 7:10 pm)."
Thu 23 February 2012
Algeria
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Z.Abd Elouahed Delih from Barika City in Batna State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was superb, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Z.Abd Elouahed Delih said: "on Thursday 02/23/2012 after maghreb prayer we saw the crescent me and other friends ."
Australia
1 . Time of observation: After sunset. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali from Wyndham City in Western Australia State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries
Thu 23 February 2012
1 . Iran
2 . Malaysia
3 . Saudi Arabia
4 . United Kingdom
Fri 24 February 2012
1 . Australia
2 . Bangladesh
3 . Pakistan
4 . South Africa
When to Observe Rabee' Al-Awwal Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Tuesday 21 February 2012) at 22:35 UT.
Sighting the OLD crescent on (Tuesday 21 February 2012) and on (Monday 20 February 2012) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-
- It is impossible to see the OLD crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day rises after the Sunrise and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunrise.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color.. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
- The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
- The crescent cannot be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon rises in these locations before the Sunrise and the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunrise, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
- Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.
Rabee' Al-Awwal Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
Mon 20 February 2012
Indonesia
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi from Surakarta City in Central Java State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi said: "On Monday, February 20, 2012; I and Mr. Muflih Arisa Adnan from PPMI Assalaam Surakarta tried to observe the old hilal of Rabiul Awwal 1433 AH from Assalaam Observatory in Surakarta and Asy-Syifaa Observatory in Juwiring Klaten. . The Old crescent of Rabiul Awwal 1433 AH was NOT SEEN neither from Surakarta and Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia. The sky was hazy."
United Kingdom
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise.Seen by others: ICOP member Eng. Qamar Uddin from York City in North Yorkshire State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Eng. Qamar Uddin said: "On Monday 20 February 2012 I was unable to sight the waning crescent of Rabiul Awwal 1433AH before sunrise from the eastern horizon in York. However, we have received a report from Dr Usama Hasan from London that he has sighted it this morning at 6:35 hrs GMT."
Tue 21 February 2012
Algeria
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohamed Isa Moussa from GUERRARA City in GHARDAIA State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not sought by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
2 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Z.Abd Elouahed Delih from Barika City in Batna State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was superb, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Z.Abd Elouahed Delih said: "bismi allah errahman errahim in the day of Monday 02/20/2012 i tried to sight the crescent but the sky was totally cloudy so i can't see it. I prepared my self to sight the moon for Tuesday by calculating the astronomical parameters of moon and sun, this day morning the sky was totally cloudy near the horizon so i continued sighting until 07:38 without seeing the crescent .the sun rising time by calculation was 07:19 by cause of cloud i can't see the phenomena. "
Germany
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise.Photographed: ICOP member Eng. Martin Elsaesser from Munich City in Bavaria State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was not sought by naked eye, the crescent was not seen by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was seen by CCD Imaging
Eng. Martin Elsaesser said: "I observed the old crescent this morning at about 8.8° elongation. The weather was ok, with some haze near the horizon, at -11°C. The seeing was quite bad, which strongly blurred the view of the mountain peaks across the valey where the crescent was due to rize. I tested a combination of inexpensive camera and optics, but found serious issues with the image quality with the crescent repeatedly fading from view. Still, the camera showed the crescent clear enough for about 25 minutes between moonrise and sunrise. I als tried to observe the crescent visually with a small telescope at 60x. Despite being reasonably sure of the position and focus i could NOT spot the crescent visually. I think that the haze and the bad seeing both were responsible for this, plus some problems with the lashed-together instruments. Around noon, we also observed the old crescent with the imaging system at about 7° elongation. The weather was still rather hazy, but the crescent was imaged clearly enough."
Indonesia
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi from Surakarta City in Central Java State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi said: "On Tuesday, February 21, 2012; The Old Crescent of Rabiul Awwal 1433 AH was NOT SEEN neither from Surakarta and Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia because the sky was hazy and cloudy."
Iran
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani from Esfahan City in Esfahan State mentioned that the sky was totally cloudy, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was seen by naked eye, the crescent was seen by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Nigeria
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Z.Sani Mustapha from Kaduna City in Kaduna State mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy, the atmospheric condition was very hazy, the crescent was not seen by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not sought by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Dr. Z.Sani Mustapha said: "Ideally,the moon could be sighted around 7.22 a.m local time. But the sun was already up. The moon could not be sighted. Why? The physicists should explain the minimum reflected light (luminous intensity) from the sun required for the moon to be sighted. How close is the moon to sun today? The easiest way to predict or know the appearance of the moon is therefore as explained by the Sunna- the moon will not be seen on the eastern horizon for three nights at dawn. Mustapha."
United States
1 . Time of observation: Before sunrise. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Jim Stamm from Tucson City in Arizona State mentioned that the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was hazy, the crescent was not sought by naked eye, the crescent was not sought by binocular, the crescent was not seen by telescope, the crescent was not sought by CCD Imaging
Mr. Jim Stamm said: "Old Moon Crescent Observation Report ====================================== Observed: Tuesday; February 21, 2012 - 06:36 (Local) Location (WGS 84) = Tucson, Arizona (USA) Longitude = 110.68 W Latitude = 32.40 N Elevation = 2240 meters Time Zone = -7.0 hours Surface conditions at location: Temperature = 2 °C Humidity = 45 % Pressure = 30.10 in. Noticeable haze kept the sky from being perfect. Topocentric and local time values from “Accurate Times”: Moonrise (at sea level) = 06:24 Sunrise (at sea level) = 06:52 Time from new moon at 06:36 = -10 hr. 48 min. Moon lag time = 27 min. Relative Altitude = 5.6 degrees Elongation from sun = 5.6 degrees Crescent width = 4 arc seconds Illumination = 0.24 percent I was NOT able to see the crescent, even through a telescope. I was reluctant to report this negative observation, because haze is just like clouds. When either is present, then no real science is obtainable. Seeing no stars near the horizon when pre-pointing the scope pretty much indicated that we were doomed to “failure.” We could not even establish a lower limit for the elongation, which was the secondary objective. We did however see a rocket that was launched (presumably) from White Sands, NM. Observers: Jim Stamm and John Polacheck E-mail Address: StammJim@gmail.com"
