Ramadan: NASRDA predicts appearance of first moon crescent
The National Space Research and
Development Agency – saddled with the responsibility of carrying out a
scientific observation of the moon, which is the nearest celestial
object to the earth – says it has successfully calculated and predicted
that the appearance of the first astronomical lunar crescent for the
month of June 2016 will commence on June 5, 2016.
In astronomy, a crescent is the shape of
the lit side of the moon that appears to be less than half illuminated
by the sun as seen by the viewer.
The Head, Media and Corporate
Communications of the agency, Dr. Felix Ale, said in a statement that
the first appearance of the moon could not be sighted with naked eyes
except with the aid of a charge coupled device imaging, an astronomical
telescope or any other optical astronomy instrument.
“Thus, the proper sighting of the crescent with naked eyes signifies the beginning of Ramadan,” he said.
He explained that the first astronomical
lunar crescent would appear in Nigeria on June 5, 2016 between 5:12pm
and 7:37pm, with Kaduna and Sokoto being the first to witness the first
young lunar crescent from about 5:12pm to 7:33pm and 7:21pm
respectively, while it would be sighted last in Jos, Plateau State
between 6:02pm and 7:14pm.
“All other states of the federation will
experience the first lunar crescent between the estimated time of
5:12pm and 7:37pm on June 5, 2016,” he added.
Ale said results released by the agency
showed precise dates, appearance time of first crescent, sunset, as well
as moon set time for all the state capitals of the 36 states of the
federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
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