UAE astronomers have issued a critical safety alert for the upcoming Ramadan moon sighting on February 17, emphasizing the potential dangers of observing the moon with telescopes or binoculars. The International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi warns that the moon will be positioned extremely close to the sun at sunset across the Arabian Peninsula, coinciding with a solar eclipse earlier in the day. This rare alignment significantly increases the risk of accidental exposure to direct sunlight through optical instruments, potentially causing temporary or permanent eye damage, including blindness.
The IAC advises that any attempt to sight the crescent at sunset would likely place the sun within or extremely near the field of view of the optical instrument. This poses a real danger not only to observers but also to equipment, as lenses and internal components could be damaged by concentrated sunlight. Professional observatories strictly avoid pointing telescopes at objects positioned so close to the sun unless they adhere to strict safety standards and use specialized solar filters.
On February 17, moon-sighting committees across the Arab and Islamic world will search for the Ramadan crescent. However, the angular separation between the sun and moon at sunset will be exceptionally small. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the angular separation at sunset is expected to be just one degree, meaning the crescent would be positioned approximately half a degree from the edge of the sun’s disc. Khadijah Al Hariri, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, notes that the solar eclipse will occur earlier in the day, but by sunset, the moon will still remain extremely close to the sun.
This proximity means that any telescope directed towards the crescent’s expected position would almost certainly capture direct or near-direct sunlight. The IAC states that the moon will not meet the required visibility conditions across the Arabian Peninsula on that evening. In several Saudi cities, the moon’s elevation at sunset is expected to remain below recognized visibility thresholds. In Jazan, the moon’s elevation will be around half a degree, while in other locations, it will be less than one degree.
Astronomers explain that by the time the sun fully sets, the lower edge of the moon’s disc would already have dipped below the horizon, leaving no visible crescent to observe. In parts of the western Arabian Peninsula, the moon may set approximately one minute after sunset, but experts say this brief interval would still be insufficient for visibility.
The center also references earlier scholarly discussions in Saudi Arabia concerning lunar visibility standards. Saudi astronomer Mulham Hindi, a researcher at King Abdulaziz University, has previously published data indicating that the moon’s altitude on February 17 will remain below accepted visibility thresholds. Medieval Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah also noted that a crescent at a separation of one degree would not be visible, and that separations of around 20 degrees typically allow sighting, unless obstructed by atmospheric conditions.
Astronomers emphasize that the measurements on February 17 fall below what both classical jurists and modern astronomical standards consider sufficient for confirmed crescent visibility. The IAC distinguishes between the moon as a celestial body and the visible crescent marking the start of an Islamic month. The object present in the sky on February 17 is the moon, not the crescent.
The visible hilal appears only after conjunction has passed and when sufficient illumination and separation from the sun allow it to be seen. A Qur’anic verse referring to crescents as markers of time underscores that the beginning of Ramadan depends on the visible crescent, not merely the moon’s astronomical presence. The solar eclipse occurring that day, visible in parts of southern Africa and Antarctica, further confirms that the moon will remain in its new-moon phase.
Most countries in the Arab and Islamic world are expected to attempt crescent sighting on February 17. If the crescent is not seen, the month of Sha’ban will complete 30 days, and Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. While the analysis primarily applies to the Arabian Peninsula and nearby regions, visibility conditions may vary slightly in parts of West Africa or the United States due to geographic differences. Experts urge the public to avoid unsafe observation attempts and leave technical sightings to trained professionals equipped with proper safety filters and equipment.
