njiwaji
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 15, 2015
- 285
- 206
The First Moon of the lunar month (Mwezi Mwandamo) can be expected to be observed today, though it can be challenging.
The first picture shows where a very thin crescent Moon can be expected to be located almost directly above and very slightly to left of the position where the Sun goes below the horizon.
The second picture below shows the best chance to see the First Moon about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset (around 7:40pm for DSM), when the Moon will be about 4 degrees above the horizon (about four finger widths) and the sky can become dark enough for the thin sliver of the crescent Moon to be expected to become visible.
The Moon gets too close to the horizon about 40 minutes after sunset (6:50pm for DSM) and the Moon will be about 2 degrees (2 finger widths) to the left of the point where the Sun set.
The best way to catch the First Moon is where the horizon skies are not thickly clouded
- and to be in a place from where you have a clear view of the west horizon
- and before sunset to note the point where the Sun goes below the horizon.
Then wait while the sky darkens and the Moon get lower in the darkening sky.
Sky views simulated from Stellarium planetarium software (free software downloadable from Stellarium)
Dr N T Jiwaji
The first picture shows where a very thin crescent Moon can be expected to be located almost directly above and very slightly to left of the position where the Sun goes below the horizon.
The second picture below shows the best chance to see the First Moon about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset (around 7:40pm for DSM), when the Moon will be about 4 degrees above the horizon (about four finger widths) and the sky can become dark enough for the thin sliver of the crescent Moon to be expected to become visible.
The Moon gets too close to the horizon about 40 minutes after sunset (6:50pm for DSM) and the Moon will be about 2 degrees (2 finger widths) to the left of the point where the Sun set.
The best way to catch the First Moon is where the horizon skies are not thickly clouded
- and to be in a place from where you have a clear view of the west horizon
- and before sunset to note the point where the Sun goes below the horizon.
Then wait while the sky darkens and the Moon get lower in the darkening sky.
Sky views simulated from Stellarium planetarium software (free software downloadable from Stellarium)
Dr N T Jiwaji
