The crescent moon of Dhu al-Qi'dah was sighted today: ideal conditions for naked-eye viewing
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, explained that observers and astronomy enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world will be looking towards the western horizon this evening, Saturday, April 18, 2026, to observe the crescent moon of Dhu al-Qi'dah immediately after sunset. This event comes amidst ideal astronomical and atmospheric conditions, offering observers a rare opportunity to see the crescent with the naked eye. This remarkable astronomical spectacle coincides with the beginning of one of the sacred months, giving it a special spiritual and temporal significance as it precedes preparations for the blessed Hajj season.
The historical and religious significance of observing the crescent moon of Dhu al-Qi'dah
The crescent moon of Dhu al-Qi'dah holds a prominent place in Islamic and Arab history. It marks the beginning of the eleventh month of the Islamic calendar and is the first of the four sacred months, which God Almighty has sanctified. Historically, the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula revered this month and refrained from fighting during it. Hence its name, "Dhu al-Qi'dah," signifying their abstention from raids and travel in preparation for the Hajj pilgrimage. Observing this crescent is not merely a fleeting astronomical phenomenon, but rather an extension of a deep cultural and religious heritage that connects humanity to the heavens and reflects the precision of the Islamic calendar, which is based primarily on the moon's cycles and its movement around the Earth.
Accurate astronomical details and calculations
Precise astronomical calculations indicate that the central conjunction of the Moon occurred on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 2:51 PM Mecca time. This means the Moon has passed the new moon phase and begun to move away from the Sun, providing favorable conditions for observing it this evening. The Moon will appear as a thin crescent with two upward-pointing horns above the sunset point for a short period. The Moon's angular elongation from the Sun will range between approximately 12 and 18 degrees, while its altitude above the western horizon will be between 8 and 15 degrees, with an illumination of only 1.5% to 3%, making it a delicate crescent that requires careful observation.
Impact of the astronomical event locally and regionally
The importance of this observation extends beyond local boundaries to encompass the entire Muslim world. Locally in Saudi Arabia, determining the beginning of Dhu al-Qi'dah is a crucial step in standardizing the Islamic calendar (Umm al-Qura calendar), which directly impacts the administrative and organizational arrangements for the Hajj season that follows in Dhu al-Hijjah. Regionally and internationally, the agreement among Muslim countries on the sighting of the new moon strengthens the unity of religious practices. The chances of sighting the crescent increase as one moves westward towards the Maghreb countries, due to the moon's increasing age and longer duration in the sky, making this night a unique opportunity to unify astronomical and religious observations across the Arab world.
Guidelines for clearly seeing the crescent moon
Engineer Abu Zahra added that the crescent moon may be visible to the naked eye under clear skies, while its visibility increases significantly when using binoculars and astronomical telescopes. He emphasized the importance of choosing open observation sites far from city light pollution, with a clear western horizon unobstructed by tall buildings or mountains. He noted that the best time for observation begins immediately after sunset, with visibility improving after 10 to 20 minutes. The crescent will remain visible in the sky for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the geographical location, and its age at sunset will range between 27 and 30 hours in most observation areas—a period considered very suitable for naked-eye visibility under ideal weather conditions.
A magnificent celestial scene linking the past with the present
The association president concluded by noting that this phenomenon presents a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the beginning of a new lunar cycle in a tranquil atmosphere, reflecting the precision and visual beauty of celestial bodies. It also underscores humanity's long-standing connection to the lunar cycles in determining time and the beginnings of months, in anticipation of the astronomical seasons and events the new month will bring, worthy of observation and interest from all segments of society.
