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New techniques for moon sighting explained

By Abdul Hakiim Yakof

Borneo Bulletin – TWO working papers on the use of modern technology for the sighting of crescent moon (Hilal) were presented during the Falak Syar’ie parallel session at The Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong yesterday.

The parallel session was part of the 14th Southeast Asia Survey Congress (SEASC) 2017 organised by the Ministry of Development’s Survey Department, in collaboration with the Brunei Institution of Geomatics (BIG), under the auspices of the Asean Federation of Land and Geomatics Survey (AFLAG). Continue reading “New techniques for moon sighting explained”

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New Lunar Crescent of Syawal 1437 seen from Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan – July 05, 2016. A group of members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam was at the Agok Hill in Tutong for the moonsighting to observe the new moon of Syawal 1437H. The western sky was partly cloudy especially new the horizon with the sun set behind the clouds on that evening. At about 15 minutes after sunset, at the clouds break, the 24 hour old hilal was firstly visible through telescopes and CCD Camera at around 6.52 pm. Continue reading “New Lunar Crescent of Syawal 1437 seen from Brunei”

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Astronomical Data and Sighting of Ramadan New Moon on June 16, 2015

Bandar Seri Begawan – The official new moon sighting date to determine the beginning Ramadan 1436H will be on Tuesday afternoon, June 16. The sightings will be carried out in several vantage hills across the country by government officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Survey Department.

The following is the astronomical calculation of the moon for Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on the day of Syaaban 29,1436H corresponding to June 16, 2015
1. Sun sets at 18:32 (Local Time)
2. The moon sets at 18:18.
At sun sets,
3. The angular seperation of Moon-Sun is 5.31°
4. Moon Azimuth is 288.75°
5. Sun Azimuth is 293.50°
6. Moon age is 29.3 day old or -3.6 hour before conjunction.

The moon's position on June 16, 2015 from Brunei at sun set.
The moon’s position on June 16, 2015 from Brunei at sunset.

In conclusion, the moon is a waning crescent, that is not a New Moon, and not observable as it sets earlier before the Sun goes down. However, the starting date of fasting in Brunei will depend on the official announcement on that evening.