Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim

(In the name of ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL)

Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association, North America (IAAA)

QUESTIONEER ON HILAL (CRESCENT MOON) VISIBILITY
(every lunar month)

Dr.Mohib.N.DURRANI, E-Mail: mnd0@columbia.edu
National Coordinator (Since 1987), for Astronomical Information
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA),
Web-Page: http://Hilal-Sighting.Com
Copyright (c) 1987-2002

	We are conducting research/survey on the recorded WORLD-WIDE
	  first sightings of the "CRESCENT MOON, FIRST VISIBILITY" 
		  in the evenings, for every lunar month.
	 
               PLEASE FILL THE QUESTIONEER AT END (download it) and 
                  E-Mail to:  mnd0@columbia.edu

		  PHOTOGRAPHS / SLIDES ARE MOST WELCOME
	       since they are very helpful in the research.
	 
	      Please also pass on the request to your friends
	       who are interested in astronomy/physics and to
		 your local amateur astronomy associations.
	 
		We would very much like to hear from you.
		Please respond either by email or by letter.
	 
       The survey results are to enhance the present ATMOSPHERIC MODEL
	  and fine tune some parameters regarding SCATTERING/VISION.
	    
	    Hilal (crescent) sightings would be in the evenings, 
                 usually before 20 minutes after sunset, 
                 and upto 40 to 90 minutes after sunset; 
                     near and along the sun's path.

  When reporting Crescent Moon (Hilal) sightings, (even if you do not see it)
                        PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

OBSERVER: Age.... Eyesight: Glasses?.... Far sighted?.... Near sighted?......
Name....................... Date........ City, State.........................
E-Mail.................................. Telephone...........................
Latitude.......................(North +) Longitude...................(East +) 
Altitude at Place of Sighting........................(specify Meters or Feet)
Horizon above/below Observing Place...............(+degrees=above,-deg=below)

HILAL was visible to naked eye?......... (Yes/No)
Hilal sighted in binoculars,etc?........ (Yes/No)

If binoculars or Telescopes were used,   Used..........(Telescope/Binoculars)
Total Magnification..................... Diameter of Objective Lens......(mm)
If 2nd binoc. or Telescopes were used,   Used..........(Telescope/Binoculars)
Total Magnification..................... Diameter of Objective Lens......(mm)

EXACT TIMES: Complete Sunset at......... Hilal First Visible....... End......
HEIGHT-Degrees: Hilal highest........... Hilal lowest (faded/set)............
LOCATION: Hilal LEFT of Sun....... (deg) Hilal RIGHT of Sun........ (degrees)
ORIENTATION OF HILAL: Ends and Middle of Hilal Curve:  
Start at.......'O Clock:   Middle at.......'O Clock:   End at.......'O Clock
(Right is 3'O Clock:Bottom is 6'O Clock: Left is 9'O Clock:Top is 12'O Clock)

WEATHER condition: Rel.Humidity......... Temperature..... Pressure...........
Sky near western horizon: Clear?........ Hazy?........... Cloudy?............
Observation Place: Latitude............. Longitude...........................

	A general rule for MEASURING ANGLES in the sky is as follows:
   When our hand is stretched out in front of us (palm facing the horizon)
	
     a. each finger at arm's length would cover about 1.5 deg at our eye,
     b. two fingers             "           "         3.0 deg     "
     c. four fingers            "           "         6.0 deg     "
     d. closed fist             "           "        10.0 deg     "
     e. outstretched fingers and thumb      "        20.0 deg     "

	Thanks.
	 
	Email to:  mnd0@columbia.edu  
	 
	Mail:      Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani
		   Islamic Amateur Astronomers Association
		   (Research Division)
		   P.O.Box 71251
		   Milwaukee, N.Y. 53211-7351
		   United States of America
	 
   Web Page:       http://Hilal-Sighting.Com

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