When will 1 Muharram 1439 H begin?

The year of 1438 H. will end. Soon, we will enter the new of hijriah year 1439 H. According to calculations in the book Ittifaq Dzatil Bain, conjunction of the end of the lunar month at the end of the year will occur on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at noon at 12:25:57 UTC + 7.

We describe the calculation of 1 Muharram 1439 H using the book of Ittifaq Dzatil Bain, with Condrodipo as the point of observation:

Calculation of 1 Muharram at Condrodipo, Gresik

The determination of the beginning of the month as well as the beginning of the year will be very interesting. why is that? because the height of crescent is low enough but slightly above the criteria of MABIMS. If calculated using the criteria M.Odeh crescent condition at Condrodipo on this month can not be seen (Not Possible).

Map of Crescent Visibility
Source : Accurate Times

Rukyatul hilal in condrodipo often results the appearance of a new moon. Though not a photographic image, but the result of the rukyatul hilal is still considered, and made as one of the basic determination of the beginning of the month in Indonesia.

Astronomers often mention that the moon with the criteria MABIMS very difficult to see, even impossible, but in reality the observers of rukyatul hilal not so. If the height of the hilal is above the criteria of MABIMS usually can be sure there is a report that Crescent is visible.

Further research is needed on this matter, which unites some opinions from various parties, astronomers, fiqh experts, and also the government.

1 muharram will occur on Thursday, 21 September 2017, it is based on MABIMS criteria, but for certainty we should follow the government's decision. Below! Simulation of rukyatul hilal 1 Muharram 1439 H in Condrodipo Gresik.

Simulation of Sunset at Condrodipo
Source : Stellarium

Simulation of Rukyatul Hilal at Condrodipo

Source : Stellarium

Crescent Image Results : Dzulhijjah 1438.

The observation of Crescent on Dzulhijjah in Indonesia was done on August 22, 2017. at that time I obseved in Condrodipo Hill, Gresik, Indonesia. This place is a very special, why is it like that? because in this place there are often reports that the crescent is seen, although in other places not seen. It is also happening on the Crescent observation at Dzulhijjah 1438 yesterday. Hilal was successfully viewed by 5 people. 5 people are not including me, because I have never seen a Crescent before. Indeed, I feel seeing the Crescent vaguely, but I am not sure about it. so I decided to believe that I did not see.

Crescent Capture

5 successful observations in the condrodipo were performed with the naked eye, observations using cameras, telescopes, binoculars and theodolites failed to occur. I am confused with it. why so, theoretically it is impossible to happen, the limited view of the eye can overpower by the view of very sophisticated optical devices.

Before going home, I tried to ask for the image from the camera that connected to the telescope and I got 38 photos of the recording result when the hilal observation. The photoa are taken with the same settings, JPEG format, ISO 1600, Exposure 1/5" and f/3.5.

Cresent Observation Image at 17:46 UTC +7 

Cresent Observation Image at 17:50 UTC +7

I spent days trying to observe by enlarging the photographs, observing point by point, line by line, angular by angle but no results.

Then I have the initiative to edit the photo in photoshop. I set its contrast, its black and white, its exposure and I succeed to do it.

Below, the results of the edited image:

 Edited Image at 17:46 UTC +7

Pointing Crescent Image Result at 17:46 UTC+7

The Crescent Image Result at 17:46 UTC +7

Edited Image at 17:50 UTC +7

Pointing Crescent Image Result at 17:46 UTC+7

The Crescent Image Result at 17:50 UTC +7

Of these results there are still irregularities, why the position of the Crescent at 17:50 higher than at 17:46? My hypothesis, this happens because the telescope setting is still using Sun Speedrate, not using Lunar Speedrate.

The Crescent above is very difficult to see and edit, because several factors of the wrong arrangement. in the photo is not supposed to wear high ISO, it is better to use low ISO with long Exposure. And the format of the image is also better using the RAW format for easy editing and searching, not the JPEG format.