Crescent Moon Not Visible in Ambon, Moon's Position Still Below the Horizon
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has said the crescent moon (hilal) for 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah was not yet visible in the skies over Ambon, Maluku, today.
BMKG Ambon Data and Information Team Coordinator Sukartoyo said the hilal was impossible to observe because the positions of the moon and sun had not yet aligned.
"The hilal in Ambon's skies is impossible to see because the positions of the moon and sun are not yet on the same line," Sukartoyo said at the hilal observation site at Tirta Beach, Amahusu, on Tuesday (17 February).
According to him, officers had not seen any signs of the hilal's appearance or indicators of the new month, despite Ambon's skies being sufficiently clear.
The moon's position, he said, was still below the sun — that is, below the horizon.
If the hilal is not visible in Ambon, the agency will follow established procedures and leave the matter entirely to the central government to determine the start of the Ramadan 1447 Hijriah fasting month.
"We have not yet confirmed whether the hilal has appeared or not. What is certain from our officers' observations is that the hilal is not yet clear," he said.
Nevertheless, BMKG continued its monitoring efforts until Ambon's skies turned dark, into the evening.
"So once again, based on calculations carried out by our officers, the hilal's altitude in Ambon is negative, meaning the moon's position is below the sun at sunset. So the picture is indeed that it is impossible for the hilal to be visible," he explained.
BMKG Ambon Data and Information Team Coordinator Sukartoyo said the hilal was impossible to observe because the positions of the moon and sun had not yet aligned.
"The hilal in Ambon's skies is impossible to see because the positions of the moon and sun are not yet on the same line," Sukartoyo said at the hilal observation site at Tirta Beach, Amahusu, on Tuesday (17 February).
According to him, officers had not seen any signs of the hilal's appearance or indicators of the new month, despite Ambon's skies being sufficiently clear.
The moon's position, he said, was still below the sun — that is, below the horizon.
If the hilal is not visible in Ambon, the agency will follow established procedures and leave the matter entirely to the central government to determine the start of the Ramadan 1447 Hijriah fasting month.
"We have not yet confirmed whether the hilal has appeared or not. What is certain from our officers' observations is that the hilal is not yet clear," he said.
Nevertheless, BMKG continued its monitoring efforts until Ambon's skies turned dark, into the evening.
"So once again, based on calculations carried out by our officers, the hilal's altitude in Ambon is negative, meaning the moon's position is below the sun at sunset. So the picture is indeed that it is impossible for the hilal to be visible," he explained.