NASRDA PREDICTS FIRST LUNAR CRESCENT VISIBILITY FOR FEBRUARY 2025 21-02-25
By Sadiq Aminu The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), through its Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, has predicted that the first astronomical lunar crescent visibility for February 2025 will appear on Friday, 28th 2025.
In a statement by the Director, Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, Dr Felix Ale, the Moon’s conjunction will occur at approximately 1:45 AM (WAT) on Friday 28th known as the cresecent zero (0) hour.
He said, the first visibility of the crescent will be possible under perfect atmospheric conditions with the aid of optical instruments such as binoculars or telescopes.
The NASRDA spokesman said the report by NASRDA’S Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy further predicts that the crescent will become visible to the naked eye in the evening of Friday 28th 2025 between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across different locations in Nigeria.
Maiduguri in Borno State will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent from 6:17 PM to 6:48 PM, followed by Yola, Adamawa State, from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM, and Damaturu, Yobe State, from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM. Also Kano, Kastina, Jos and Kaduna will experience the first lunar crescent between 6:38pm and 7:12pm, with sunset and moon set occurring between 6:35pm and 7:12pm, 6:38pm and 7:15pm, 6:35pm and 7:11pm, 6:40pm and 7:17pm respectively. Enugu will experience the lunar crescent between 6:42pm and 7:32pm with sunset and moonset at about 6:42pm and 7:18pm.
The first lunar crescent will appear in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory between 6:44pm and 7:15 pm, with sunset and moonset at about 6:44pm and 7:20pm.
The last cities to experience the lunar crescent are Lagos and Abeokuta between the hours of 6:59pm to 7:30pm
Other cities across the federation will experience the lunar crescent at different times within the estimated visibility window between 6:17pm and 7:35pm on February 28, 2025.
The statement adds that for a clear sighting of the lunar crescent, observers are to use optical aids where necessary, observe under clear atmospheric conditions, and position themselves in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset.
The scientific report according to the statement provides precise predictions on the date, time of appearance, sunset, and moonset for all state capitals, ensuring accuracy for those who rely on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.
The statement say the Space Agency remains committed to advancing astronomical research in Nigeria and encourages researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilize these findings, and additional data while further analyses can be obtained at www.nasrda.gov.ng