Visibility of Thu Al-Hejjah Crescent
(1419 AH)

Anyway, the sunset occurred at 17:48 local time (UT+2), but for sure the Sun had gone beyond the clouds earlier. A 3-inch telescope, as well as four binocular were used to see the crescent.

At first we saw Venus, and then Jupiter. We were aware that Jupiter is just 2 degrees away of the crescent. So I used Jupiter as a hint, and tried to search for the crescent near it until I SURPRISINGLY did see the crescent !!!!! WOOOW I shouted ! They told me later that as I saw the crescent I threw a paper I was held ! Actually I was not aware of that !! I've been trying to see the crescent for six years, and this one was the first young crescent I've ever seen ! This was the case for all of us, the youngest crescent JAS saw before this crescent was about 34 hours !

I saw the crescent by 7X50 binocular at 17:55 which is SEVEN minutes only after the sunset ! At that time it was 7.5 degrees above the horizon, and its topocentric age was 20 hours and 5 minutes, while the geocentric age was 21 hours and 7 minutes. After that, I directly rushed to the telescope, and pointed it towards the crescent, and so the others saw it. The first who saw it by naked eyes was ICOP member Mr. Hani Al-Dalee', who saw it at 18:04, which is 16 minutes after the sunset. Later on, all of us saw it by telescope, binocular, and naked eyes. I didn't want to loose this chance and I could take some photos for this young crescent. Kindly see the below photo.

The observers were:- Hani Al-Dalee' (ICOP), Moh'd Alawneh (ICOP), Khalid Tell (ICOP), Moh'd Odeh (ICOP), Mohammad Murad (ICOP), Ibrahim Odwan, Issam Mustafa, Ahmad Kasem, Eyad Ahmad, Sana'a Abdo.

1. ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie of the Crescent Observers Society said: "The crescent moon was sighted by 7 observers on Signal Hill and 6 at Three Anchor Bay. All observers confirmed sighting by 19h25. The Hakim Darooriy appointed by the Muslim Judicial Council accepted the testimony and declared the 1st night of Thul Hijja 1419. Hence in accordance with the decision of the MJC Eidul Adhaa shall be on Sunday 28 March 1999. However the Majlisush Shura al Islami and the Islamic Council of South Africa (ICSA) has delayed the announcement of Eidul Adkhaa date until verification of Wuqoof bi Arafat is received from Saudi Arabia officially."

2. ICOP member, Dr. John Caldwell of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), mentioned that the crescent was seen by both; binoculars and naked eyes. He said: "Very clearly seen by eye from about 7:14-7:37, but never trivially easy, even at easiest requiring at least some concentration. Haze layer from 0-2 deg altitude, sky cloudless, not crisply clear in west but not so terribly hazy either, east was all very polluted with urban smog. Hot, 21 C and 73% humid, almost no wind. Seen in binoculars from first attempt (6:59 PM) until 7:40 going into haze band. Crescent horns at 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock"

3. ICOP member, Mr. Moh'd Yusuf Martin said: "Both; the Crescent Society and the SA Observatory saw the new moon on Thursday 18/03 by naked eyes. The Muslim Judicial Council has declared the 1st of Thul Hijjah to be on Friday 19/03, and that Eid ul Adha will be on Sunday 28/03."

1. ICOP member, Dr. Mohib Durrani saw the crescent by both; binoculars and naked eyes, he added: "The Hilal was quite thin and and quite low in the sky hence it would have been impossible for it to be visible in the previous evening."

2. Dr. Omar Afzal, the chairman of Committee for Crescent Observation (CFCO) sent us the below E-mail:-

   "On Thursday 18 March, 1999:
   In N.America the moon was seen in several town in Connecticut, Chicago and many towns in Illinois, Xenia in Ohio, Wichita in Kansas, Kingman and Bullet in Arizona, San Diego, Lodi, etc. in California.

   The New Moon was seen by 2 observers from 730 m above sea level. The sun disappeared behind the clouds at 17:37. The moon was first sighted with 8x30 binoculars at 18:07. At 18:10 the moon appeared to the naked eye but was partially obscured by clouds. The moon remained visible to both observers for 2 minutes with the naked eye. The following measurements were recorded by the observers: Temperature 70.5 degrees celsius; 29% relative humidity; Pressure 922 milibars.

   The new moon was seen by other 2 observers. The moon was first seen through binoculars at 18:06. One observer saw the moon with the naked eye from 18:06 until 18:07 while the other observer saw the moon with the naked eye at 18:07 for less than a minute. The altitude of the observation site was approximately 900 meters above sea level.

   Another observer saw the New Moon only with binoculars through the clouds for less than a minute."