Astronomy/Moon Sighting

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Expert: - 11/15/2004


Question
Dear Philip Stahl  

I was wondering if it was scientficly possible to see the crescent of the moon with the naked eye on the night of Nov 12th 2004, and is there scietnfic resources I can refer to that proves this information. Since the showing of the crescent shows the start of the new Isalmic Month and there has been huge controversy on when the month should have been offically ended.

Thank you for any help

Answer
Hello.

According to my lunar almanac computer program, on the date you specify - the Moon would technically be at 'New Moon' phase, with an illuminated fraction visible of 0.3%. (three tenths of one percent).

Mathematically speaking, this means - given the Moon is roughly 1/2 degree in diameter (30 minutes of arc) when full- that the visible disk would only have an area of ~ 2.12 square minutes of arc, compared to 706.8 sq. minutes for the full disk.

This means it is extremely unlikely it could be seen by the unaided eye. Almost certainly, a good binocular would be required at the very least.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any specific scientific resources that refer to this.  

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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