Khbarani - The Jordanian Astronomical Society stated that the calculations it has conducted indicate that the central conjunction (new moon) of the crescent for the month of Dhu al-Hijjah for the year 1446 AH will occur on Tuesday morning, the 27th of this month, at 6:02 AM Jordan time, while the surface conjunction occurs at 4:55 AM on the same day.
Ammar al-Sakaji, the president of the society, stated in an announcement on Friday that the moon will remain above the horizon at sunset on Tuesday evening, setting about 48 minutes after the sun, which allows for the possibility of observing the crescent with telescopes if the ideal weather and astronomical conditions are available, both in Jordan and most Arab countries.
He explained that according to detailed astronomical data, the age of the crescent at sunset will be 14 hours and 46 minutes, and the angular elongation between it and the sun is estimated to be 8 degrees and 24 minutes, while the difference in altitude between them is about 8 degrees and 20 minutes, with an azimuth difference of about one degree.
He further clarified that the thickness of the crescent is estimated at 11 arcseconds, and its illumination rate reaches 0.54%, while the phase angle is recorded at 171 degrees and 34 minutes. These indicators confirm, according to the society, the possibility of visually observing the crescent through modern astronomical means on the evening of the sighting day.
The society emphasized that this statement is purely scientific and astronomical, and does not constitute an official declaration of the beginning of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, noting that it will participate in cooperation with the International Astronomy Center in organizing observation committees on Tuesday evening in various regions of the kingdom, in response to the sighting invitation that will be issued by His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The society affirmed that the official and legitimate authority responsible for determining the start of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the General Iftaa Department, represented by His Eminence the Grand Mufti and members of the Iftaa Council.
