The holy month of Ramadan—the month of fasting between sunrise and sunset—in the Islamic Hijri calendar is defined by the new moon. Since it began on March 11 this year, does that mean in will end—and the feasting festival of Eid al-Fitr begin—at the moment of April 8’s total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is the only time a new moon can be seen. Since a new moon is between Earth and the sun, it’s lost in our star’s glare and impossible to see. But not this month in North America.
Ramadan, Eid And The Crescent Moon
Ramadan is the month-long sunrise-to-sunset fast observed by devout Muslims worldwide. However, it will not end (and Eid begin) at the moment of new moon. That’s despite the fact that any pair of eclipse glasses will allow anyone in North America to see the silhouette of the new moon on Monday, April 8 (and you can can view totality with the naked eye only if you are in the 115 miles wide path of totality).
Traditionally, it’s the sighting of the first crescent moon after the new moon that begins every new month in the Islamic Hijri calendar. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan and the first day of the month of Shawwal.
When To See The ‘Shawwal Moon’
The crescent moon that ends Ramadan and begins Eid is known as the “Shawwal Moon” since it begins the Islamic month of Shawwal. The young moon’s emergence just after sunset on Tuesday, April 9 (as a 2%-lit crescent) or, more likely, on Wednesday, April 10 (as a 7% lit crescent) will signal the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.
- Tuesday, April 9: 2% lit crescent below Jupiter, with comet 12P/Pons-Brooks between them.
- Wednesday, April 10: 7% lit crescent moon with Jupiter just below, with Uranus between them (and comet comet 12P/Pons-Brooks just below).
Get into a high position with a good view to the western horizon on this Sunday and Monday evenings. Armed with a pair of binoculars, you may spy the crescent moon on Tuesday or Wednesday just after sunset.
Ramadan moves forward by about 11 days each year. This happens because the moon takes 354 days to orbit the Earth 12 times, which is 11 days shorter than the 365 days it takes for Earth to go around the sun.
For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse check my main feed for new articles every day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
