According to Space.com, the next new moon will occur on Monday, April 8 at 2:21 pm EDT (1821 GMT) or 11:51 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). “A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon moves between the Sun and Earth, fully or partially blocking out the Sun’s rays and casting a shadow on parts of the Earth,” Science Direct reported.
Will this impact Ramadan and Eid celebrations?
The total solar eclipse will be witnessed across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada on Monday, April 8. It will not be visible in India this time.
The solar eclipse will impact the visibility of the Shawwal crescent moon this year as it provides a rare opportunity to see the new moon directly. It is advised not to watch the solar eclipse directly.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the start of the month of Shawwal.
It is unlikely to see the crescent moon soon after the eclipse. The sighting of the crescent moon is necessary to mark the end of Ramadan.
The crescent moon will not be visible until April 9, which is the 30th day of Ramadan, The National reported. Earlier it was anticipated that Eid would begin on April 9. However, due to the solar eclipse, the new moon will not be visible at the western horizon after sunset on April 8.
As a consequence, it is predicted that the crescent moon will be visible after sunset on April 9 in most Islamic countries, Europe, Africa and America, the Times of India reported. Meanwhile, April 10 is likely to be the first day of Shawwal and Eid al-Fitr worldwide, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
An eclipse cartographer had reportedly told USA TODAY that since the eclipse will happen on April 8 in the early afternoon, the moon phase will be no more than five to six hours old at sunset, so it “will not be possible to see the crescent Moon that evening.”
Amid all the connectures, Eid al-Fitr’s arrival will be confirmed only by Monday night. Nothing is defiant until the crescent moon is spotted.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
