Latest news with #crescentMoon
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
When And Where To See June's Stargazing Highlight On Monday
A crescent Moon with the Pleiades below-right. If you're up early on Monday, June 23, you'll be rewarded with one of the most elegant sights the sky has to offer this month — a slender crescent moon close to a sparkling cluster of stars called the Pleiades. Here's everything you need to know about when and where to see them. Where And When To Look This is a celestial encounter that lacks convenience. To see it, you'll need to head outside about an hour before sunrise and look toward the east-northeast horizon. As the sky lightens into dawn, you'll see a slender 6%-illuminated waning crescent moon. Just above it will be the Pleiades — also known as the Seven Sisters or Messier 45 — barely half a degree away. That's less than the width of an outstretched little finger held against the sky. You'll also see Venus to the right of the pair, shining brilliantly at magnitude -4.1. Monday, June 23: Crescent Moon And The Pleiades What You'll See The moon won't be particularly easy to see at first, thanks to only a slither of it being lit by the sun — you may need binoculars to spot it. If you need help, first find Venus, then look to its lower-left, slightly closer to the horizon. Once you do find it, you may notice its darkened night side softly illuminated by Earthshine — sunlight reflecting off our planet's oceans, clouds and ice caps. Just above it and to the right, the Pleiades will sparkle like glitter, with six or seven stars visible to the naked eye (and many more through binoculars). While the moon is about 238,000 miles away and Venus is about 150 times farther, the stars of the Pleiades lie roughly 444 light-years from Earth. What you won't see is Uranus. Despite it being about halfway between the moon and Venus, it's far too small to see with anything other than a large telescope. Earthshine on the crescent moon. (Photo by Frederic Larson/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Observing Tips Most people immediately think of a telescope when they think about astronomy. It's not necessary for this event. You'll see much more just by using your naked eyes. However, a pair of binoculars is always useful when stargazing, allowing you to zoom in on the Pleiades and on the Earthshine-lit lunar surface. Choose an observing location with a clear, unobstructed view to the eastern horizon, if possible, away from city lights — though light pollution makes zero difference when observing the planets and the moon. What's Next In The Night Sky The next standout event comes on June 25 with the arrival of a new moon — a prime opportunity to see the Milky Way in all its summer glory. And don't miss June 26, when a young crescent moon will join Mercury in the western post-sunset sky. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How astronomers spotted Dhul Hijjah moon; why 'every sighting matters'
It felt like traveling back in time to an era when faith and science walked hand in hand under open skies. At a serene, quiet hilltop in Dubai, far from buildings and the sea, scholars, researchers, and astronomers came together. Telescopes pointed toward the setting sun, while a few peered through binoculars in anticipation. The atmosphere was calm yet focused, united by a single purpose — to sight the new crescent Moon of Dhul Hijjah. At the beginning of every Islamic month, a group of experts gathers on a remote hilltop in Dubai to scan the skies. On Tuesday evening, Khaleej Times had exclusive access to this unique team — a mix of astronomers, scholars, and researchers, as they prepared to sight the crescent Moon, marking the start of Dhul Hijjah and the upcoming Eid Al Adha festival. This team is part of Dubai's permanent Moon sighting committee, which meets each month at Jebel Al Nazwa, a location selected for its clear view of the horizon and minimal humidity and haze. As the team arrived before sunset, around 5pm, they began setting up their equipment, from telescopes to astronomy apps and digital compasses. All instruments were aligned and calibrated to detect the very thin crescent Moon expected to appear shortly after sunset. 'We come to Jabel Al Nazwa every month because the conditions are ideal for sighting,' said Tameem Al Tamimi, a member of the Dubai Moon Sighting Committee. 'It's far from city lights and the sea. Humidity near coastal areas reduces visibility. This spot offers a dry, open sky.' According to the experts, the crescent of Dhul Hijjah was expected to stay on the horizon for just 38 minutes after sunset. 'Based on astronomical calculations, the Moon is positioned a few degrees above and to the right of the sun on Tuesday. It's a very slim crescent, just 0.5 percent illuminated, so it can't be seen with the naked eye, but instruments make it possible,' said Mohammed Al Kamali, deputy head of Dubai Moon Sighting Committee. As sunset approached, the team took their positions, scanning the western sky. Some sat on mats in the prayer area, and a few were on camping chairs, while others stood behind telescopes and tripods, carefully adjusting settings. 'There was a high probability of sighting the Moon,' said Tameem. 'But due to haze and low visibility, it was a challenge. That's why we use every tool available during this brief window.' What makes Dubai's Moon sighting practice unique is the composition of its committee. 'It's rare to see a permanent committee with religious scholars, researchers, and astronomers working together,' said Sheikh Mohammed Eyada Al Kubaisi, Grand Mufti at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). 'It's a collaboration that ensures both accuracy and unity.' While astronomical data guides predictions, physical confirmation is essential. 'We don't rely on calculations alone,' Sheikh Al Kubaisi said. 'Islam requires visual confirmation, which is why fieldwork like this is so important.' After offering the Maghrib prayer at the hilltop, the team resumed their observation. Everyone stayed focused, even if the crescent might not appear. 'Sometimes we see the Moon, sometimes we don't,' said Al Kamali. 'The important part is trying, with sincerity and precision. Every sighting matters.' The position of Saudi Arabia also influences the crescent's visibility, according to researchers and astronomers. 'Saudi Arabia is west of the UAE, so it has a slightly better chance of sighting the Moon,' said Al Kamali. 'As the sun sets further west, the crescent's visibility improves, even places like the US and Canada can see it with the naked eye under clear skies. But here in Dubai, we often succeed too, especially in good conditions.' For most, Eid announcements come through social media or news updates. Few realise the hours of preparation and coordination that go into confirming the sighting. 'We are out here for three to four hours, completely focused on confirming the Moon,' said Tameem. 'If we don't sight it in the available window, we consult other groups across the region.' As the observation came to an end, water and dates were passed around, a simple but heartfelt Emirati tradition. It's a gesture to quench the thirst and ease the fatigue after hours of patient effort under the open sky.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Look: Dhul Hijjah Moon spotted in UAE from observatory in Abu Dhabi
As different countries from around the world announced spotting the Dhul Hijjah crescent to mark the start of Eid Al Adha, the UAE Astronomy Centre posted images of the Moon photographed in Abu Dhabi. The Astronomy Centre posted images of the Moon as photographed from the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in the UAE capital at 7.05pm. The Centre said that the first image was captured at 11am and the moon's angular distance from the sun was 5.5 degrees. The second image was captured at 3.15pm with the moon's angular distance from the sun being 6.5 degrees. The third image was captured after sunset at 7.05pm and the moon's angular distance from the sun was 7.6 degrees. The Centre did note that the images were results of a scientific report and clarified that the decision to officially declare the start of the month remains with authorities. The Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory consisted of Osama Ghanem, Anas Mohammed and Khalfan Al Naimi. The UAE's Presidential Court later announced the official sighting of the crescent Moon, marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah. Following the crescent sighting, the first day of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28, and Eid Al Adha celebrations will start from Friday, July 6.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait prepares for crescent Moon sighting, unveils likely Eid Al Adha date
Kuwaiti authorities will sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent Moon after sunset on Tuesday, as Muslims worldwide prepare for announcements that will determine when will Eid Al Adha be marked this year. The Kuwait Joint Committee for Crescent Sighting, which is a group of volunteers specialising in the observation of crescents and Islamic timings in the country, announced that it will gather to spot the crescent Moon after 6.40pm local time. The event will take place on Sheikh Jaber bridge in the Northern Island, the committee which operates in parallel with the official Sharia Moon-Sighting Committee in the Gulf country clarified. Likely Eid dates The committee said the spotting the crescent Moon today will not likely be possible in Kuwait. In a statement, it added: "The crescent Moon will be born on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6.02am local time. It will remain visible for 43 minutes after sunset, but sighting it will be difficult." "On the following night, the crescent will remain for 111 minutes, and it will be visible to the naked eye." This means that Thursday, May 29 will be the first day of the Hijri month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid will be celebrated starting Saturday, June 7 and the Day of Arafat will fall on June 6. This prediction differs from what astronomers in the UAE said as the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) predicted that the crescent Moon will be spotted today. Islam follows a lunar calendar composed of 12 months based on the moon's cycle where each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Click here to know more about the process of crescent Moon sighting in Muslim countries.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Why Oman may get an extra day off for Eid Al Adha this year?
Muslims worldwide are gearing up for the crescent Moon sighting after sunset on Tuesday, with all eyes on celebrating Eid Al Adha and the upcoming holiday. In Oman, residents were urged by authorities to look out for the crescent and report to field teams in their respective governorates if they spotted it or directly contact moonsighting sub-committees. Like official sighting committees in other Muslim countries, the Omani committee is set to meet today for the event. While many Muslims will mostly get a four-day-holiday for Eid, as a result of combining Day of Arafat and the feast's three days, Oman's residents have a chance of getting a longer break. Why an extra day off? An Omani royal decree was issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in 2022 to amend public holidays in the Sultanate. The amendment states that Eid Al Adha holiday in the country will be from Dhul Hijjah 9 to Dul Hijjah 12, resulting in a 4-day-long break in the Sultanate. However, if the first day of Eid falls on a Friday, it will be compensated. This means that if the upcoming Eid starts on Friday, June 6, residents are entitled to a five-day break. Although this will never be known for sure until the sighting committee announces the result after sunset, some astronomers predicted that Wednesday, May 28 will mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah hence Eid will start on Friday, June 6. The UAE's International Astronomical Centre (IAC) issued a similar prediction on Sunday.
