New Moon Sighting With AI Technology: A Revolution in Islamic Astronomy
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025
For centuries, the determination of lunar months has relied on a purely visual phenomenon—the sighting of the crescent moon with the naked eye. However, with evolving climatic conditions and geographical variations, this task has become a scientific and religious challenge for Islamic nations, especially during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking revolutionary steps to solve this issue. A recent study published in Nature Astronomy shows that astronomical prediction accuracy has improved by 40% through machine learning algorithms. So, how did this transformation happen?
From the Human Eye to Algorithms: How AI is Reshaping the Rules
Crescent moon sighting is not just about the moon's age; it depends on complex factors such as:
- Angular Separation between the Sun and the Moon: This refers to the angle between the positions of the sun and the moon in the sky as seen from Earth. The smaller the angle, the harder it is to see the crescent due to the moon's proximity to the sun's glare.
- The atmosphere and Solar Glare: Sandstorms, high humidity, and light pollution in urban areas significantly affect visibility.
- Geographical Location and Local Weather Conditions:
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- Visibility varies between the equator and polar regions due to differences in the horizon angle, according to a study published in Nature Scientific Reports.
- Traditional astronomical calculations previously had an error margin of up to ±12 hours, according to research from King Abdulaziz University (2022). Today, AI systems—such as those developed by the Institute of Applied Astronomy in Germany—analyze millions of historical data points (dating back to 1850) to predict sighting conditions with an accuracy of ±3 hours, even in challenging weather conditions.
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Comparison Between Traditional Methods and AI Technology
|
Criterion |
Traditional Astronomical Calculations |
Artificial Intelligence |
|
Accuracy |
±12 hours (on average) |
±3 hours (according to Nature 2023 study) |
|
Weather Dependency |
Highly affected by clouds or light pollution |
Simulates conditions using satellite data |
|
Speed |
Mathematical models take days to verify |
Instant predictions via cloud computing |
|
Adaptability |
Requires manual adjustments |
Learns automatically from new observations |
Why Are Some Still Skeptical?
- Data Gap:
- 70% of historical observational data in the Islamic world is not digitized.
- Cost:
- Developing specialized AI systems requires investments of up to $2 million per model, as seen in the UAE's "RasiUAE'sH" lal" project.
A Future Beyond Borders
By 2025, 60% of Islamic countries are expected to rely on AI to determine lunar months. This transformation is not just a technological advancement but a bridge between religious tradition and modern science, paving the way for unprecedented collaboration in astronomical frontiers.
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