UAE astronomers subject security warning forward of Ramadan moon sighting on February 17 | World Information – The Instances of India – Worldwide Dispatch

UAE astronomers warn towards February 17 Ramadan moon sighting resulting from solar proximity dangers/Consultant Picture

Astronomers within the UAE have issued a security advisory forward of the anticipated Ramadan crescent sighting on Tuesday, February 17, warning the general public towards trying to look at the moon utilizing telescopes or binoculars resulting from critical eye security dangers.The Worldwide Astronomical Centre (IAC), based mostly in Abu Dhabi, cautioned that the moon can be positioned extraordinarily near the solar at sundown throughout a lot of the Arabian Peninsula. This uncommon alignment coincides with a photo voltaic eclipse earlier within the day, considerably rising the hazard of unintended publicity to direct daylight via optical devices.In keeping with the IAC, directing telescopes or binoculars in direction of celestial objects positioned very near the solar with out licensed photo voltaic filters may cause short-term or everlasting eye harm, together with blindness.Due to the moon’s place on February 17, any try to sight the crescent at sundown would seemingly place the solar inside or extraordinarily close to the sphere of view of the optical instrument. Astronomers confused that this creates an actual hazard not solely to observers but additionally to gear, as lenses and inside parts might be broken by concentrated daylight.Skilled observatories keep away from pointing telescopes at objects positioned so near the solar except strict security requirements and specialised photo voltaic filters are utilized.

On the night of February 17, moon-sighting committees throughout the Arab and Islamic world are anticipated to seek for the Ramadan crescent. Nonetheless, the angular separation between the solar and moon at sundown can be exceptionally small.In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the angular separation at sundown is predicted to be only one diploma. In sensible phrases, which means that if a crescent had been current, it will be positioned roughly half a level from the sting of the solar’s disc.Khadijah Al Hariri, Operations Supervisor on the Dubai Astronomy Group, informed Khaleej Instances that though the photo voltaic eclipse will happen earlier within the day, by sundown the moon will nonetheless stay extraordinarily near the solar.This proximity implies that any telescope directed in direction of the crescent’s anticipated place would nearly actually seize direct or near-direct daylight.

The Worldwide Astronomical Centre said that the moon is not going to meet the required visibility circumstances throughout the Arabian Peninsula on that night.In a number of Saudi cities, the moon’s elevation at sundown is predicted to stay beneath recognised visibility thresholds. In Jazan, which is forecast to file the very best altitude within the Kingdom, the moon’s elevation can be round half a level. In different places, the altitude can be lower than one diploma.Astronomers defined that by the point the solar totally units, the decrease fringe of the moon’s disc would have already got dipped beneath the horizon, leaving no seen crescent to look at.In elements of the western Arabian Peninsula, the moon might set roughly one minute after sundown. Nonetheless, consultants stated that this temporary interval would nonetheless be inadequate for visibility.

The centre additionally referenced earlier scholarly discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding lunar visibility requirements.Saudi astronomer Mulham Hindi, a researcher at King Abdulaziz College, has beforehand revealed knowledge indicating that the moon’s altitude on Tuesday will stay beneath accepted visibility thresholds.The assertion additionally cited medieval Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, who wrote {that a} crescent at a separation of 1 diploma wouldn’t be seen. He famous that separations of round 20 levels usually enable sighting, except obstructed by atmospheric circumstances.Astronomers stated Tuesday’s measurements fall beneath what each classical jurists and fashionable astronomical requirements think about enough for confirmed crescent visibility.The Worldwide Astronomical Centre emphasised the excellence between the moon as a celestial physique and the seen crescent marking the beginning of an Islamic month.“The thing current within the sky on Tuesday is the moon, not the crescent,” the assertion stated.Whereas the moon exists each day, the seen hilal seems solely after conjunction has handed and when enough illumination and separation from the solar enable it to be seen. A Qur’anic verse referring to crescents as markers of time was cited to underscore that the start of Ramadan will depend on the seen crescent, not merely the moon’s astronomical presence.The photo voltaic eclipse occurring that day, seen in elements of southern Africa and Antarctica, additional confirms that the moon will stay in its new-moon part.Most nations within the Arab and Islamic world are anticipated to aim crescent sighting on Tuesday night. If the crescent isn’t seen, the month of Sha’ban will full 30 days, and Ramadan will start on Thursday, February 19, 2026.Astronomers additionally famous that whereas their evaluation applies primarily to the Arabian Peninsula and close by areas, visibility circumstances might fluctuate barely in elements of West Africa or the US resulting from geographic variations.For now, consultants are urging the general public to keep away from unsafe remark makes an attempt and go away technical sightings to educated professionals geared up with correct security filters and gear.