Khaberni - In a rare astronomical spectacle, this year, the day of sighting the crescent of Ramadan month coincides with the phenomenon of the annular solar eclipse, known as «Ring of Fire». This concurrence has raised widespread questions: can the eclipse affect the sighting of the crescent? And does it carry an exceptional significance for the beginning of the holy month? Meanwhile, millions await the moment the sighting is announced, while astronomical calculations are precisely moved in the background of the scene.
What happens in the sky?
On Tuesday, February 17, the Earth witnesses its first solar eclipse of the year. The annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun at the moment of conjunction, but it is at a point further from the Earth, making it appear smaller than to cover the entire solar disk, thus the sun appears as a bright ring surrounding a dark disk, hence the naming «Ring of Fire».
However, it's notable that this eclipse will not be visible in the Arab world.
The full viewing will be limited to regions of the Antarctic continent, while it will be partially visible in parts of South America and southern Africa only.
Will the crescent of Ramadan be affected?
This controversial point was resolved by specialists. Astronomical experts confirm that the solar eclipse does not obstruct the sighting of the crescent of Ramadan at all, as the two phenomena are practically separate.
The eclipse occurs at the moment of conjunction, i.e., the beginning of the month astronomically, but Islamic law bases the confirmation of the month on the sighting of the crescent after the sunset.
To clarify, it can be said that the eclipse itself is evidence of the occurrence of the conjunction, but it does not obscure the crescent nor affect the possibility of its detection.
The sighting of the crescent depends on various factors, such as:
The duration it stays after the sunset
Its altitude above the horizon
Clarity of the atmosphere
However, the eclipse is a passing event that leaves no visual impact in the sky of the Arab region.
Why does this coincidence attract so much interest?
Because combining a religious event linked to the beginning of the fasting month, and a rare astronomical phenomenon, gives the scene an exceptional character.
This is a meeting between science and spirituality, between precise astronomical calculations and the annually renewed sighting ceremonies.
However, scientifically, there is no direct impact of the eclipse on the announcement of the beginning of Ramadan.
But just two weeks later, the Earth will witness a lunar eclipse on the upcoming March 3rd, visible in regions of North America, Australia, and East Asia, in continuation of this year's series of astronomical phenomena.
It can be concluded that the matter is settled: because the «Ring of Fire» will not obscure the crescent of Ramadan, and it will not change the rules of sighting.
