Eng. Mohamed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, stated that many Islamic countries will observe the Ramadan crescent on Sunday, March 10. The central conjunction will occur at 9 a.m. GMT on that day, and the moon will not be visible after sunset in most Islamic regions. It is anticipated that numerous countries will commence the month of Ramadan on Monday, March 11th.
He stated that observing the crescent on Sunday, March 10, from any location in the Arab and Islamic world is not feasible with the naked eye or a telescope, according to specific scientific criteria outlined in various research studies. However, using a telescope, it is possible to see the crescent from certain regions in the Americas, particularly the western areas. In the Islamic world, these countries are anticipated to begin observing the month of Ramadan on Tuesday, March 12th.
Odeh reported the appearance of the crescent on Sunday, March 10 in many Arab and Islamic locations at sunset. In Jakarta, the moon sets 5 minutes after sunset, when it is 38 minutes old, and 1.7 degrees away from the sun.
In Abu Dhabi, the moon sets 10 minutes before sunset, is four hours and 45 minutes old, and is three degrees above the horizon after the sun.
In Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the moon sets 13 minutes after sunset, at an azimuth of 3.4 degrees from the sun, after being visible for six hours and 22 minutes.
In Amman and Jerusalem, the moon disappears 13 minutes after sunset and is positioned 3.6 degrees away from the sun six hours and 35 minutes after sunset.
In Cairo, the moon disappears 14 minutes after sunset, and it is 7 hours and 2 minutes after the sun, at an angle of 3.7 degrees.
In Khartoum, the moon sets 15 minutes before sunset, is seven hours and 18 minutes old, and is 3.6 degrees away from the sun.
The moon is not visible 21 minutes after sunset, when it is 10 hours and 20 minutes old, and located five degrees away from the sun.
Observing the crescent in the given regions is not feasible without the aid of a telescope.
He stated that the minimum visibility time for the crescent moon with the naked eye is 29 minutes, while the shortest visibility time for the moon with the naked eye is 15 hours and 33 minutes. Additionally, the minimum angular separation between the crescent moon and the sun visible to the naked eye is 7.6 degrees.
Merely observing the crescent and noting its age is not enough to view it well. The visibility of the crescent is influenced by various circumstances, including its proximity to the horizon during observation.
He noted that the crescent can be easily seen with the naked eye on Monday, March 11th, from all areas of the Islamic world. Those interested in viewing the crescent on that day should look towards the west after sunset, approximately 15 to 25 minutes from where the western horizon is visible, and search for the crescent. Near the point where the sun has set, a thin crescent will be seen close to the horizon for approximately 60 to 80 minutes following sunset.
He mentioned the option to visit the Islamic project's website associated with the International Astronomy Center online to view the outcomes of watching the Ramadan crescent for the family.
