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 (26 September 2003), at 03:09 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 parts of Africa, most parts of the Atlantic ocean, and parts of Northern America. While it should be seen by naked eyes from central and south America and most of the Pacific ocean.

According to the actual sighting of the crescent, the start of Shaban should be on Saturday 27 September 2003 or on Sunday 28 September 2003 for the eastern countries.

- 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.

• Australia
  • ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali: Not seen. "As a member of ICOP, I confirm there was no sighting in Australia on Friday 26th. There was naked eye sighting on Saturday, 27th September of the crescent".
• Malaysia
  • ICOP member Dr. Zainol Abidin Ibrahim: Not seen.
• Brunei
  • ICOP member Mr. Mahadi Mohamad Tahir: Not seen. "The crescent was not seen because of very thick cloud at the western horizon".
• Saudi Arabia
  • Mr. Anwar Almuhammad: Not seen. "We tried by using MEADLX200 10', but we could not see the creacent. It looks like that it is in the stage not visible yet".
• Jordan
  • ICOP member Dr. Tarek Katbeh: Not seen. "Observation was done by a 10 inch Meade LX200 GPS computerized telescope, by JAS members: Moh'd Odeh, Tarek Katbeh, Moh'd Katbeh and Ali Katbeh, From one of the highest mountains in Jordan (near Al-Shoubak city 220 km to the south of Amman) , which is 1660 m above sea level! But the crescent was not seen in spite of the superb sky!!"
• South Africa
  • ICOP member Mr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim: Not seen.
• Nigeria
  • ICOP member Mr. Usman Duhhu: Not seen. "It was cloudy here in Bauchi, therefore sighting the crescent was not tried".
• Bosnia
  • ICOP member Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic: Not seen. "Observation has been made from near hill (900 m alt.)Sky was clear with just a small part of the western horizon with haze. Crescent was not seen".
• USA
  • ICOP member Mr. Jim Stamm: Seen. "I could have seen the crescent in the finder earlier, but it was hidden by the crosshairs. Crescent was only glimpsed intermittently with naked eye for the 3 minute interval. Naked eye observations were made and confirmed by myself and my son, Joshua".For observation report click here.
  • Mr. Javad Torabinejad: Seen.

• Australia
  • ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali: Seen. "As a member of ICOP, I confirm there was no sighting in Australia on Friday 26th. There was naked eye sighting on Saturday, 27th September of the crescent".
• Iran
  • ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani: Seen.
• UAE
  • ICOP member Mr. Abdulkarim Chalermthai: Seen. "seen naked eye with 3 person in abudhabi cornich st.".
• Algeria
  • ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem: Seen. "yesterday 26/9/2003, one member has treid to see the young Crescent but it was not seen".
• Nigeria
  • ICOP member Mr. Aminu Luqman: Seen. "The crescent was seen this evenning(Saturday) at about 7:43 p.m in Lagos State, Nigeria".
• Germany
  • ICOP member Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann: Seen. "Crescent easily visible over a layer of haze on the horizon".
• Austria
  • Mr. Tahir Saban: Seen. "Crescent was not seen on 26.9.2003 even the seeing was better than on the 27th. I could easily follow Venus and had plotted the position of the Moon from the planetarium program "Cartes du Ciel"".
• USA
  • ICOP member Ms. Mary Singer: Seen. "New crescent was very easily seen naked eye. The seeing was excellent. Confirmed a minute later with the binoculars. Moon appeared to be setting rapidly with the shorter daylight at this time of year. ".

The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries

Saturday 27 September 2003: -

1. Malaysia
2. Brunei
3. Bosnia
4. Oman
5. UAE
6. Saudi Arabia
7. Jordan

Sunday 28 September 2003:-

1. Iran
2. South Africa
3. Morocco

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).