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During this annular eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, but will not fully cover it; this will leave a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon’s edge, known as the 'ring of fire'
Muslims all over the world are awaiting the sighting of the crescent that signals the start of the holy month of Ramadan on February 17. On the same day, another celestial spectacle will take place in the skies — a solar eclipse, although it will not be visible in the UAE. Will the solar eclipse have any effect on the moon sighting?
Ramadan Prayer Timings
According to Dubai Astronomy Group's Khadijah Al Hariri, the answer is no. She explained that during this eclipse, the moon will pass in front of the Sun, but will not fully cover it. This creates an annular eclipse, in which there a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon’s edge, known as the 'ring of fire'.
During this time, the Moon will not be visible; however the eclipse occurs prior to sunset, around 4pm UAE time, she explained. Experts will convene to try and sight the Ramadan crescent only after sunset, she added. This means that the eclipse will not impact lunar sighting.
How start of Ramadan is determined
Islamic months are 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar sighting. If the crescent is sighted on February 17, Ramadan will start on the next day. However, if it is not sighted, Shaban will complete 30 days, and Ramadan will start on February 19.
According to Khadijah, the criteria to sight the Ramadan crescent includes these conditions:
The moon must set after the sun; if it sets first, it is impossible to sight
The moon should remain above the horizon for at least 12 to 20 minutes after sunset
However, on February 17, the moon will set before the sun in the eastern Islamic world, at the same time as the sun in central regions, and only a few minutes after sunset in western areas, according to a UAE astronomer.
This short interval is not enough for the moon to transition from conjunction to a visible crescent, said Engineer Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre (IAC).
This means in UAE and some other countries, Ramadan is likely to start on February 19. However, the official start date will only be announced once the moon-sighting committee convenes.
During this annular eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, but will not fully cover it; this will leave a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon’s edge, known as the 'ring of fire'
Muslims all over the world are awaiting the sighting of the crescent that signals the start of the holy month of Ramadan on February 17. On the same day, another celestial spectacle will take place in the skies — a solar eclipse, although it will not be visible in the UAE. Will the solar eclipse have any effect on the moon sighting?
Ramadan Prayer Timings
According to Dubai Astronomy Group's Khadijah Al Hariri, the answer is no. She explained that during this eclipse, the moon will pass in front of the Sun, but will not fully cover it. This creates an annular eclipse, in which there a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon’s edge, known as the 'ring of fire'.
During this time, the Moon will not be visible; however the eclipse occurs prior to sunset, around 4pm UAE time, she explained. Experts will convene to try and sight the Ramadan crescent only after sunset, she added. This means that the eclipse will not impact lunar sighting.
How start of Ramadan is determined
Islamic months are 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar sighting. If the crescent is sighted on February 17, Ramadan will start on the next day. However, if it is not sighted, Shaban will complete 30 days, and Ramadan will start on February 19.
According to Khadijah, the criteria to sight the Ramadan crescent includes these conditions:
The moon must set after the sun; if it sets first, it is impossible to sight
The moon should remain above the horizon for at least 12 to 20 minutes after sunset
However, on February 17, the moon will set before the sun in the eastern Islamic world, at the same time as the sun in central regions, and only a few minutes after sunset in western areas, according to a UAE astronomer.
This short interval is not enough for the moon to transition from conjunction to a visible crescent, said Engineer Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre (IAC).
This means in UAE and some other countries, Ramadan is likely to start on February 19. However, the official start date will only be announced once the moon-sighting committee convenes.
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