UAE astronomers have issued safety advisories ahead of the expected Ramadan new moon observation on Tuesday, February 17, warning the public not to attempt to observe the moon using telescopes or binoculars due to serious eye safety risks.The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Center (IAC) warns that in much of the Arabian Peninsula, the moon will be positioned very close to the sun at sunset. This rare alignment coincides with a solar eclipse earlier in the day, greatly increasing the risk of accidental exposure to direct sunlight through optical instruments.According to the IAC, pointing a telescope or binoculars at objects very close to the sun without a certified solar filter can cause temporary or permanent eye damage, including blindness.Due to the position of the moon on February 17, any attempt to observe the new moon at sunset is likely to place the sun within or very close to the field of view of optical instruments. Astronomers stress that this poses a real danger not only to observers but also to the equipment, as the lenses and internal components can be damaged by concentrated sunlight.Professional observatories avoid aiming telescopes at objects so close to the sun unless strict safety standards and specialized solar filters are used.
Why is angular distance important?
On the evening of February 17, moon-watching committees from the Arab and Islamic world are expected to search for the Ramadan crescent moon. However, the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon at sunset will be very small.In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the angular distance at sunset is expected to be only one degree. In practice, this means that if the new moon existed, it would be located about half a degree from the edge of the Sun’s disk.Khadijah Al Hariri, Operations Manager, Dubai Astronomy Group said khaliji era Although the eclipse will occur earlier in the day, the moon will still be very close to the sun by sunset.This proximity means that any telescope aimed at the crescent’s expected position will almost certainly capture direct or near-direct sunlight.
Visibility conditions across the area
The International Astronomy Center said the moon would not be able to meet the required visibility conditions across the Arabian Peninsula that night.The moon’s height at sunset is expected to remain below accepted visibility thresholds in several Saudi cities. In Jizan, where the highest altitude record in the kingdom is expected, the moon will be around half a degree high. Elsewhere, the altitude will be less than one degree.Astronomers explain that when the Sun completely sets, the lower edge of the Moon’s disk has sunk below the horizon, leaving no visible crescent to observe.In parts of the western Arabian Peninsula, the moon may set about a minute after sunset. However, experts say this brief interval is still not enough to ensure visibility.
academic and historical perspective
The center also drew on early academic discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding lunar visibility standards.Saudi astronomer Mulham Hindi, a researcher at King Abdulaziz University, previously released data indicating that the moon’s altitude will remain below the acceptable visibility threshold on Tuesday.The statement also quotes medieval Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, who wrote that a new moon 1 degree apart is not visible. He noted that unless hindered by atmospheric conditions, a separation of about 20 degrees is usually visible.Astronomers said Tuesday’s measurements fell below what classical jurists and modern astronomical standards considered sufficient to confirm the new moon’s visibility.The International Astronomy Center emphasizes the difference between the moon as a celestial body and the visible crescent that marks the beginning of the Islamic month.“The object in the sky on Tuesday was the moon, not the crescent moon,” the statement said.Although the Moon is present every day, visible Hilal can only be seen after the conjunction and when there is sufficient light and separation from the Sun. Verses in the Qur’an that mention the new moon as a time marker are quoted to emphasize that the start of Ramadan depends on the visible crescent, not just the astronomical presence of the moon.The solar eclipse that occurred that day was visible in parts of southern Africa and Antarctica, further confirming that the moon will remain in its crescent phase.Most countries in the Arab and Islamic world are expected to attempt new moon sightings on Tuesday night. If the new moon is not visible, the month of Shaban will end for 30 days and Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.The astronomers also noted that while their analysis applies primarily to the Arabian Peninsula and nearby areas, visibility conditions may be slightly different in parts of West Africa or the United States due to geographic differences.For now, experts urge the public to avoid unsafe observation attempts and leave technical sightings to trained professionals equipped with appropriate safety filters and equipment.
