Moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday
Muscat, May 24
The Sultanate of Oman will be sighting the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH on Tuesday. The main committee will hold a meeting to oversee the moon sighting at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Yousef bin Hamad al Rahbi, Director of the Astronomical Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said that astronomical calculations rely on precise criteria and play a significant role in determining the possibility of sighting.
One of the most prominent of these criteria is the time between sunset and moonset which should be 20 minutes at least when using binoculars and no less than 29 minutes for sighting with the naked eye.
He emphasised that astronomical calculations are not definitive unless confirmed by eyewitness accounts of the moon sighting. However, if the calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting, the final decision is based on calculations without the need for observational testimony.
Regarding the astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH, Al Rahbi explained that on Tuesday, Dhul Qa'ada 29, 1446 AH, corresponding to May 27, the moon will be in the central conjunction phase at 7:02 am Muscat time. Sunset will occur at 6:47 pm while the moon will set at 7:24 pm allowing a 36 minutes window for sighting which is a suitable duration for observation.
Al Rahbi said that sighting the crescent moon using binoculars is possible while sighting with the naked eye is somewhat difficult, however not impossible, especially if the skies are clear. The crescent moon is expected to be visible all across the Sultanate of Oman provided that there are no clouds or dust covering the skies. Therefore, the beginning of Dhul Hijjah is expected on Wednesday in the Sultanate of Oman and most Arab countries.
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