Leicester Astronomers aid project to identify start of lunar month
Collaboration to determine start of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Astronomers from our University have worked in partnership with the Europe-wide Moon Sighting Effort to help with declaring the start of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Andrew Blain, who is Professor of Observational Astronomy in our , joined staff and students from the department and members of the Moon Sighting Effort on top of the Attenborough Tower on August 12.
Professor Blain said: “We were approached by a moon sighter to see the new moon at sunset and declare the start of the month of the Hajj this year on August 12th.
“It was a complete weather bust, but we did host two visitors from the Europe-wide Moon Sighting Effort on the top of Attenborough in the rain - and might try again in May for Ramadan.”