BMKG: Small Possibility of Hilal Being Seen on April 20, Eid al-Fitr 1444 H Falls on April 22?

Dream - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the sighting of the new moon of Syawal 1444 H is unlikely to occur on April 20, 2023. This is based on astronomical observations and lunar records held by the agency.

"In Indonesia, on April 20, 2023, the earliest sunset is at 17:33:53 WIT in Merauke, Papua, and the latest sunset is at 18:45:55 WIB in Sabang, Aceh," according to a statement from BMKG, quoted on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

By considering the time of conjunction and sunset, it can be said that the conjunction occurs before sunset on April 20, 2023, in Indonesia.

Astronomically, the determination of the beginning of Syawal 1444 H by those who apply the sighting method is after sunset on April 20, 2023.

Meanwhile, for those who apply the calculation method in determining the beginning of Syawal 1444 H, the criteria for calculation at sunset on April 20, 2023, need to be considered.

"The height of the crescent moon in Indonesia at sunset on April 20, 2023, ranges from 0.75 degrees in Merauke, Papua, to 2.36 degrees in Sabang, Aceh," wrote BMKG.

Quoted from Kemenag, MABIMS (Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) agreed to change the criteria to a crescent moon height of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees.

This agreement was marked by the signing of a joint ad referendum letter in 2021 regarding the use of the new MABIMS criteria in Indonesia starting in 2022.

So, what is the elongation angle on April 20?

"The elongation in Indonesia at sunset on April 20, 2023, ranges from 1.48 degrees in Waris, Papua, to 3.09 degrees in Sabang, Aceh," said BMKG.

Meaning that between these two criteria, it does not yet meet the MABIMS criteria. Based on this BMKG forecast, Ramadan will be completed for 30 days, so the first day of Syawal 1444 H will fall on Saturday, April 22, 2023.