It is expected that the sighting of the new moon which will mark the beginning of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj will take place on May 17.
The information was revealed by SUPARCO on Tuesday. SUPARCO has also issued preliminary astronomical projections regarding the lunar calendar.
The country’s space agency spokesperson said that the age of the new moon at the time of the sunset on May 17 will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes.
The spokesperson also indicated that conditions are generally suitable on May 17 for visibility in several regions of the county.
It is expected that the new moon will be born at 1:01 am on May 17. This provides us with a basis for the expected lunar progression.
This information was also revealed by the spokesperson.
The officials at SUPARCO shared some details and according to them astronomical and atmospheric conditions appear to be favourable for the crescent moon to be sighted on the evening of May 17.
Further information was revealed by the spokesperson he said that in coastal areas a gap of 60 minutes is likely between the moonset and the sunset.
This sixty-minute gap will significantly improve the probability of the moon being visible.
Based on these projections, the first day of Zil Hajj 1447 Hijri is expected to fall on Monday, May 18.
While Eid-ul-Azha is likely to be observed in Pakistan on May 27.
However, the dates are not confirmed.
However, the agency clarified that the official and final decision regarding the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon will be taken by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for the formal announcement of the Islamic lunar calendar in the country.
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