Empirical Model for Moon Sighting

Abstract

An empirical model is developed to precisely identify the new crescent visibility of each Hijri month. The model is based on the actual real measurements of the moon motion. The model used the sinusoidal behaviour to model the relative motion of the lunar with respect to the earth. The model stability is achieved by the exact matching between the sine wave and the phases of the moon crescent, with respect to an observer from the earth. The accuracy of the model is granted by using the most accurate measurements for the motion of the moon. The model is applied to 18 Hijri months, from Shaban 1443 H to Muharam 1445 H. The moon sighting of these 18 months are obtained and compared with three references, the Um-Alqura calendar, Al-Tawqifat Alelhamih book and the moon visibility curves. The comparisons are discussed and concluded the reliability of the present model.