The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has said that Nigeria will likely witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on Feb. 28, 2025.
Dr Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, who said this in a statement on Saturday, Feb. 22, noted that the lunar crescent had been calculated to occur at 1:45 A.M. West African Time (WAT).
Ale said the predicted time of 1:45 A.M time, also known as the Crescent Zero hour, would be when the crescent could be seen under perfect atmospheric conditions with the aid of optical instruments like binoculars or telescopes.
“The crescent will become visible to the naked eye in the evening of Friday 28th 2025 between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across different locations in Nigeria.
“Maiduguri will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent from 6:17 PM to 6:48 PM, followed by Yola, Adamawa State, from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM.
“Damaturu, Yobe, will follow from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM, Kano, Kastina, Jos and Kaduna will experience the first lunar crescent between 6:38pm and 7:12pm.
“The sunset and moon set will occur between 6:35pm and 7:12pm, 6:38pm and 7:15pm, 6:35pm and 7:11pm, 6:40pm and 7:17pm respectively.
“Enugu will experience the lunar crescent between 6:42pm and 7:32pm with sunset and moonset at about 6:42pm and 7:18pm,’’ he said.
He predicted that in the FCT, the first lunar crescent would appear between 6:44pm and 7:15 pm, with sunset and moonset at about 6:44pm and 7:20pm.
The last cities to experience the lunar crescent, he said would be Lagos and Abeokuta between the hours of 6:59pm to 7:30pm.
Ale said that other cities across the federation will experience the lunar crescent at different times within the estimated visibility window of 6:17pm and 7:35pm on same day.
He said: “For a clear sighting of the first lunar crescent, observers are to use optical aids where necessary, observe under clear atmospheric conditions.
“Observers are to position themselves in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset,’’
He added that the scientific report provided precise predictions on the lunar crescent across locations of the country.
According to him, the report ensured accuracy for those who relied on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.
The space agency encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilise the findings, adding that anyone requiring additional data for further analyses could visit the official office website on www.nasrda.gov.ng.
Dr Bonaventure Okere, Director, Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, (CBSSA), an activity centre of NASRDA, said it was regarded as the first stage of the moon, hence the new crescent.
Okere said the appearance of the new crescent was highly significant in the Islamic religion, because it was used to determine some rites and practices like the beginning of the Ramadan fast.
“The Islamic religion use moon phases for their Islamic rites but astronomers study the cycle of the rising and setting of the moon to determine moon days which is usually 28 days.
“Astronomers use the moon cycle to generate Lunar calendar, understand the part of the moon you can see daily,’’ he said.
By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
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