DDHK. ORG – Expert astronomer Saudi Arabia stated, based on astronomical calculations, Friday (21/4/2023) would be the first day Eid Al-Fitr.
As quoted from Republika Launching the Saudi Gazette, Tuesday (18/4/2023), President of the Astronomical Society in Jeddah Majed Abu Zahra said, there will be a conjugation phenomenon before sunset on Thursday evening, 29 Ramadan, coinciding with 20 April 2023.
That is, the meeting of the sun and the moon at one height in the sky when they are on the same celestial longitude and the moon moves from west of the sun to its east. This is a global event that occurs at one time for all parts of the world.
Abu Zahra explained, the sun will set from the Mecca horizon at 18.42 Thursday, and at that time the moon will be above the horizon at an altitude of 04 degrees. Meanwhile, the elongation or angle that separates the moon from the sun is 05 degrees, and the illumination is 0,2 percent.
The moon will set at 19.06 after 24 minutes of sun setting, so the conditions for entering the month of Shawwal will be fulfilled astronomically. Abu Zahra said, however, sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon with the naked eye or monitoring devices was not possible except through a CCD camera.
This is due to its minimal illumination, its presence in the sunset light, and its short duration above the horizon. He noted that on Friday, April 21, the sun will set from the Mecca horizon at 18.43:16 p.m., and the moon will be above the horizon at XNUMX degrees.
Meanwhile, the elongation or angle that separates it from the sun is 17 degrees, and the illumination is 2,4 percent. It says the moon will be easy to see with the naked eye if the sky is clear, and will set at 20.05:22 p.m., one hour and XNUMX minutes after sunset. [DDHK News]
