ISLAMABAD: As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has released a crescent visibility forecast based on scientific assessments, astronomical calculations and modern observational data.
The country’s space agency, in its analysis, said that the new moon of Ramadan will be sighted at 5:45 PST on February 28. However, the visibility of the crescent depends on key factors such as the age of the moon, its angular separation from the sun, altitude at sunset, and atmospheric conditions.
It added that the age of the moon at sunset will be about 12 hours and the angular separation of the moon and the sun will be about 7 degrees, while the altitude of the moon at sunset will be around 5 degrees. Therefore, there is no possibility of crescent visibility even with optical aid.
Given these scientific parameters, the chances of moon sighting in Pakistan on February 28 are extremely low. As a result, Sha’ban is expected to complete 30 days, and it is likely that the first fast will be observed on March 2.
