Why predicting moon sighting is very difficult

[TNT]

Nowadays we are seeing our scince & technology minister promoting scientific methods for moon sighting.
Here first we need to understand that eid and ramazan starts by "sighting" moon, as explained in many hadiths.
Now in this age of scientific advancement, we have technology to accurately find the location of moon. There are laser reflectors placed on surface of moon and we can find its location uptill centimeter accuracy. But "sighting" is something different. As a satellite and space comms guy and physics enthusiast, i asure u light travels in weird ways and is influenced by many factors. Some are
1. The gravity of earth would bend the moon light slightly. This would change its angle and thus affect sighting
2. Light coming from rare medium space into denser medium would refract.
3. Light would also be affected by ionosphere.
4. Moisture at a given time and location would also affect its sighting.

The first day moon reflects little light and have a limited window of appearance. It all depends on the different factors coming together at that specific time window that will determine if sight is possible or not.
I dont think our science and tech ministry even thought of these factors. Therefore someone with knowledge should tell them not to waste money on it.

 

[Humble Analyst]

Nowadays we are seeing our scince & technology minister promoting scientific methods for moon sighting.
Here first we need to understand that eid and ramazan starts by "sighting" moon, as explained in many hadiths.
Now in this age of scientific advancement, we have technology to accurately find the location of moon. There are laser reflectors placed on surface of moon and we can find its location uptill centimeter accuracy. But "sighting" is something different. As a satellite and space comms guy and physics enthusiast, i asure u light travels in weird ways and is influenced by many factors. Some are
1. The gravity of earth would bend the moon light slightly. This would change its angle and thus affect sighting
2. Light coming from rare medium space into denser medium would refract.
3. Light would also be affected by ionosphere.
4. Moisture at a given time and location would also affect its sighting.

The first day moon reflects little light and have a limited window of appearance. It all depends on the different factors coming together at that specific time window that will determine if sight is possible or not.
I dont think our science and tech ministry even thought of these factors. Therefore someone with knowledge should tell them not to waste money on it.

When moon will be in certain position at sunset you cannot see it. That can be calculated.

 

[war&peace]

Moon follows a prescribed path and it is a fact from scientific and religious sources (Quran).

Thus lunar position can be determined very precisely as we know the science (orbital shape, speed, rotation of the earth, azimuthal planes) and also we have access to the latest tech for observations like telescopes, satellites, trackers etc.

As far as bending/refraction of the light is concerned, it is well known fact and it is constant since the bulk composition of the atmosphere remains almost constant. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that the whole of the country is covered with clouds at any given time. So I think we can reach a consensus and use the scientific tools to make our charts.

 

[VCheng]

1. The gravity of earth would bend the moon light slightly. This would change its angle and thus affect sighting
2. Light coming from rare medium space into denser medium would refract.
3. Light would also be affected by ionosphere.
4. Moisture at a given time and location would also affect its sighting.

There are several other factors too: temperature inversions, light pollution, atmospheric particulates and contaminants, time of year etc.

 

[Baz]

We need to see the moon

 

[Imran Khan]

because its in mullahs hands . anything went to control of mullah will be destroyed

 

[El Sidd]

Moon is such a fassadi.

 

[TNT]

Moon follows a prescribed path and it is a fact from scientific and religious sources (Quran).

Thus lunar position can be determined very precisely as we know the science (orbital shape, speed, rotation of the earth, azimuthal planes) and also we have access to the latest tech for observations like telescopes, satellites, trackers etc.

As far as bending/refraction of the light is concerned, it is well known fact and it is constant since the bulk composition of the atmosphere remains almost constant. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that the whole of the country is covered with clouds at any given time. So I think we can reach a consensus and use the scientific tools to make our charts.

The major factors can be taken constant but certainly not the atmosphere. Moisture changes, so does wind speeds and temprature. The path followed by light would be patchy and it cannot be certainly predicted that moon would or would not be sighted at a given location and time. Ive seen the algorithms used by weather stations and ground stations and they do not take those details into account since their purpose is not sighting but rather location of moon.
It shudnt be an issue as having different eid in a country is not a bad thing, its not even unislamic.

There are several other factors too: temperature inversions, light pollution, atmospheric particulates and contaminants, time of year etc.

Exactly, there r so many factors. I just mentioned few major ones. Anyone working on photon detection knows how much light is influenced.

 

[SQ8]

Moon is such a fassadi.

Is the moon Sunni or Shia?

 

[Yaseen1]

Everyone should have freedom to celebrate Eid according to their school of thought and we should not impose our point of view on others in this regard

 

[SQ8]

Everyone should have freedom to celebrate Eid according to their school of thought and wr should not impose our point of view on others in this regard

Then why limit it to eid?
People can assign their own Kalimah’s , core beliefs and ethics too... which is already being done isnt it?

 

[Yaseen1]

Eid is not like something as core belief or kalima so it is better we should not make it a point of unrest and prejudice.

Then why limit it to eid?
People can assign their own Kalimah’s , core beliefs and ethics too... which is already being done isnt it?

Eid is not like something as core belief or kalima so it is better we should not make it a point of unrest and prejudice

 

[M. Sarmad]

Here first we need to understand that eid and ramazan starts by "sighting" moon, as explained in many hadiths.

Read through this thread when you have time:

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/fawa...sighting-website.620546/page-15#post-11505632

Is the moon Sunni or Shia?

It's rather 'Progressive'

 

[SQ8]

Eid is not like something as core belief or kalima so it is better we should not make it a point of unrest and prejudice.


Eid is not like something as core belief or kalima so it is better we should not make it a point of unrest and prejudice

The second deviation is common, including people taking off for Eid holidays and disrupting the workforce.. then there is no limit.

Read through this thread when you have time:

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/fawa...sighting-website.620546/page-15#post-11505632



It's rather 'Progressive'

Touche

 

[Nein]

Nothing wrong we now have the technology to sight the moon.

Done is done.

This moon wars debate is ridiculous.