Prediction of the Start of the Holy Month of Ramadhan 1426 H

The Calculations are done for the Longitude and Latitude of Makkah AlMukarramah Area and the times are for Local Time of Saudi Arabia

Makkah Al-Mukarramah: Latitude = 21:39° N , Longitude = 39:46° E

[ Monday (29 Shaaban 1426 H, 3 October 2005) ]

[ Tuesday (1 Ramadhan 1426 H, 4 October 2005) ]

New Moon of Ramadhan Occurs on Monday 3 October 2005 at 1:29 p.m which will happen during a solar eclipse that is visible in Saudi Arabia, which means that we will witness the birth of the crescent.

Day	(2005) Date	Sun Rise	Moon Rise	Sun Set	Moon Set	Moon Altitude & Azimuth at sunset	According to: ing to
							UmmUlQura	Actual Sighting
Mon	3 / 10	6:12	6:01	18:07	18:10	0.4 º , 264 º	29 Shaaban	29 Shaaban
Tue	4 / 10	6:12	6:53	18:06	18:42	7.4 º , 255 º	1 Ramadhan	30 Shaaban
Wed	5 / 10	6:13	7:47	18:05	19:18	14.7 º , 245 º	2 Ramadhan	1 Ramadhan

Calculations show that the birth of the new moon occurs about 4 ¾ hours before the sunset on 3 October 2005 in Makkah AlMukkaramah area and the moon sets about three minutes after the Sunset. Therefore and according to calculations, the last day of month of Shaaban 1426 H will be on Monday 3 October 2005 where the moon sets after the sun as indicated in the table. Then, astronomically (solely based on calculations), the first day of Ramadhan 1426 H will be on Tuesday 4 October 2005. For crescent sighting, the Moon will be about 0.4 º above the horizon and, horizontally, about one degree to the left (south) of the sun on Monday at the sunset moment and its luminosity is about five ten thousands (0.05 %) of the full moon which is much below the ability and sensitivity of normal human eyes detection, therefore it is not possible to sight that extremely faint crescent by a human. But it is possible to sight the crescent on the Tuesday evening since the age of the Moon will be about 29 hours and it will be about 7.4 º above the horizon and, horizontally, about ten degree to the left (south) of the sun at the sunset moment and its luminosity is about 1.5 % of the full moon which is in the range of the ability and sensitivity of normal human eyes. The shape of the crescent moon should look as shown in the figure. Taking all the previous points into account, the possibility is that according to calculation Tuesday 4^th will be the first day of Ramadhan and according to actual sighting of the crescent Wednesday 5 October 2005 will be the first day of Ramadhan.

Physics Department at KFUPM has the pleasure to invite you to observe the solar eclipse on Monday 3 October 2005 from 12:20 p.m. to 3:00 p.m in building No. 6 near the university Tower. I would like to point out that our Prophet - PBUH said: (what the meaning is) "the Sun and the Moon are signs of Allah and they will not be eclipsed for the death or life of any person. If you see them make Duaa to Allah and pray till it is over". It may be an indirect sign of how dangerous is to watch solar eclipses which of course happen at day time when every one is awake, and Allah has the knowledge. Please DO NOT look at the Sun directly at any time it causes damage to your eyes.

The above prediction is based on calculations and may be used merely for the purpose of a general guidance and one must go with the method of actual sighting of the moon, the method which, our Prophet Mohammad - PBUH - (SallAllhuAlihiWassallam) guided and ordered us to observe and follow, and Allah has the knowledge (wAllahuAllam).

Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri, Chairman of Physics Department, Physics Department, KFUPM

Box 5047, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia, Phone: 860-2255 - FAX: 860-2293

email: alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa Home-page: faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alshukri

Prediction of the End of the Month of Ramadhan 1426 Hejriah

And the Start of Month of Shawwal 1426 H

The Calculations are done for the Longitude and Latitude of

Makkah AlMukarramah Area and the times are for Local Time of Saudi Arabia

Makkah Al-Mukarramah: Latitude = 21:39° N , Longitude = 39:46° E

[Wednesday (29 Ramadhan 1426 Hejriah, 2 November 2005)]

[Thursday (01 Shawwal 1426 Hejriah, 3 November 2005)]

New Moon of Shawwal Occurs on Wednesday 2 November 2005 at 4:26 a.m.

Day	(2005) Date	Sun Rise	Moon Rise	Sun Set	Moon Set	Moon Altitude & Azimuth at sunse	According to: ing to
							UmmUlQura	Prediction
Tue	1 / 11	6:24	5:38	17:45	17:16	Below horizon	29 Ramadhan	28 Ramadhan
Wed	2 / 11	6:24	6:34	17:44	17:55	1.8 º , 248 º	30 Ramadhan	29 Ramadhan
Thu	3 / 11	6:25	7:34	17:44	18:40	10.3 º , 238 º	01 Shawwal	01 Shawwal

Calculations show that the birth of the new moon occurs about 13½ hours before the sunset on Wednesday 2 November 2005 in Makkah AlMukkaramah area and it sets about 11 minutes after the Sunset. Therefore and according to calculations, the last day of month of Ramadhan 1426 H will be on Wednesday 2 November 2005 where the moon sets after the sun as indicated above. Then, astronomically (based on calculations), the first day of Shawwal 1426 H will be on Thursday 3 November 2005. The Moon will be about 1.8 degrees above the horizon and, horizontally, six degrees to the left (south) of the sun at the sunset moment and its luminosity is about four thousands of the full moon which is below the ability and sensitivity of normal human eyes detection, but it may be possible, with some difficulty, for a well trained and experienced crescent sighting person to barely detect it. Therefore, taking all the previous points into account, the possibility is that Thursday 3 November 2005 is the first day of Shawwal. For crescent sighting, provided that the sky is clear, free of clouds and dust, and you have a sharp sight and your are one of the well trained and experienced crescent-sighter, then it may be possible to have a glimpse of the very faint and extremely thin crescent by looking towards the west about six degrees to the left of the setting sun and at an altitude of about two degrees. The shape of the crescent moon should look as shown in the figure.

The above prediction is based on astronomical formulas and calculations and may be used merely for the purpose of a general guidance and one must go with the method of actual sighting of the moon, the method which, our Prophet Mohammad SallAllhuAlihiWassallam guided and ordered us to observe and follow and Allah has the knowledge.

Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri, Chairman of Physics Department, Physics Department, KFUPM, Box 5047, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia * Phone: 860-2255 * Fax: 860-2293

email: alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa or c-phys@kfupm.edu.sa

Homepage: http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/alshukri