When to Observe Thul Hijjah Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Friday 19 January 2007) at
04:01 UT.
Sighting the OLD crescent on (Thursday 18 January 2007) is shown in the below graph using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-
- It is impossible to see the OLD crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day rises after the Sunrise and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunrise.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
- The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
- The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
- The crescent can not be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon rises in these locations before the Sunrise and the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunrise, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
- Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.
Thursday 18 January 2007
Thul Hijjah Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
Thursday 18 January 2007:
- Indonesia: Seen: ICOP member Mr. Ma'rufin Sudibyo said: "Waning crescent sighting was done in Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia (position: 07:40 S 109:38 E, height: 20 meter above sea level, time zone: UT+7), at January 18th, 2007 by me (member of Jogja Astro Club/JAC) after shubuh pray. The eastern horizon almost cloudy but at zone around of estimated crescent positions, the cloud is more transparent, marked by Jupiter seen easily with naked eye. The southern sky more clear and Alpha Centauri seen very easily with naked eye. Jupiter and Alpha Centauri were good indicators to the crescent. I was use Moon Calculator v.6 from Monzur Ahmed as additional tool to determining crescent positions. I was seen crescent at 04:55 (first) and 05:12 (last) local time with naked eye, while our local sunrise was at 05:39 local time. Orientation of the crescent: 6-9, blurred by thin cloud in foreground. At last seen, the moon had age 29,83 hour before conjunction with elongation 15,7 degree from sun, relative azimuth (to sun) 4,9 degree and relative altitude (to sun) 14,9 degree. This is my first experience with crescent sighting and my first report to ICOP. Insha Allah I and other members of JAC will try to see the new crescent (hilaal) in our observation station at Parangkusumo Beach, Yogyakarta special region, Indonesia at January 20th, 2007. Happy New Hijra Year!"
- Iran:
- Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Zahed Aram mentioned that it was cloudy.
- Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani said:
Observation Report
January 18, 2007
Old Moon Crescent
Location: Kuh Sofe, Esfahan Iran
Latitude: 32° 36' N
Longitude: 51° 39' E
Elevation: 1789 meters
Temperature: -10° C
(MoonCal 6.0 Dr. Monzur Ahmed, Topo, Refrac OFF)
Moonrise: 06:36:30 LT
Sunrise-Moonrise: 0h 28m 30s
Crescent first observed through 15x80 binoculars:
Time: 06:41:50 LT
Moon Altitude: 0° 04' 32"
Sun Altitude: -(5° 20' 21")
Elongation: 13° 38' 28"
Relative Azimuth: 12° 32' 18"
Phase: 1.51%
Width: 0.45m
Arc Length: 105° (10-6.5)
Crescent Last observed through 15x80 binoculars:
Time: 06:57:30 LT
Moon Altitude: 2° 41' 46"
Sun Altitude: -(2° 16' 57")
Elongation: 13° 32' 27"
Relative Azimuth: 12° 35' 47"
Phase: 1.48%
Width: 0.44m
Arc Length: 75° (9.5-7)
Observer: Alireza Mehrani