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Karaite Korner
New Moon Report
December 1998
Part 1 - "Old Moon" and New Moon

Much can be learned about the New Moon from the "Old Moon". Whereas the New Moon is the first visibility of the moon after conjunction, the Old Moon is the LAST visibility BEFORE conjunction. In many respects, the Old Moon is easier to see than the New Moon so a negative sighting is even more informative. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful in comparing the New Moon to the Old because they are not identical in nature. The following is a report of this month's Old Moon sightings from Israel which has been included because of the rare and interesting situation this month with the Old and New Moons discovered by Magdi Shamuel:

Subject: Old Moon - December 1998

On Thursday 17 December, 1998 the old moon was seen from Ashdod by Magdi. The moon remained visible until 6:36 with the naked eye. Calculated Sunrise was 6:33, but sunrise was actually observed over the mountains on the eastern horizon at 6:40.

Also on Thursday 17 December, 1998 the old moon was observed from Ofaqim by Musa. Moon remained visible to the naked eye till 6:41. Sunrise was not observed due to clouds on the horizon.

On Friday 18 December, 1998 the old moon was not seen by Magdi from Ashdod. Search was made both with the naked eyes and 20x60 binoculars. There were excellent weather conditions. It had rained on Wednesday which may have cleaned the air and provided better observing conditions.

The moon was also not seen by observers in Ofra, Petah Tikvah, Arad, and Ofakim.

The moon was visible AFTER calculated SUNRISE by both observers on 17 December, 1998 and this despite that it was not visible at all the following morning. In other words in this instance on the day of the last visibility the moon was last seen AFTER SUNRISE.

The Negative sighting of the Old Moon on Friday 18 December, 1998 which has even better astronomical conditions (see below) than on Saturday and which despite excellent weather conditions was not seen (even with binoculars!) teaches that the New Moon on Saturday 19 December, which has inferior astronomical conditions (see below) will not be visible. The first visibility of the New Moon will then be on Sunday 20 December, 1998. Given the very high illumination and lagtime on Sunday the New Moon should be visible even BEFORE SUNSET. This creates a rare instance in which the Old Moon is visible AFTER SUNRISE on the day of the last visibility and the following New Moon is visible BEFORE SUNSET on the day of the first visibility! It should be noted that the moon is at its maximum distance from the earth. Had the moon been closer to the Earth the moon would remain visible for longer after sunset.

Magdi Shamuel
and
Nehemia Gordon

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Karaite Korner
New Moon Report
December 1998
Part 2

The New Moon was seen on 20 December, 1998 by Nehemia Gordon. The moon was visible when I arrived at the observation point at 16:54 and was certainly visible even earlier. It was partly cloudy.

Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel

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Karaite Korner
New Moon Report
December 1998
Part 3

On Sunday 20 December 1998:

• The New Moon was seen from Ketziot (about 1 hour south of Beersheba) by Magdi. The Moon was first sighted at 16:42. Sunset was observed one minute later at 16:43.

• The New Moon was seen from Ramle. The moon was first sighted at 16:43. Venus was first sighted at 16:35.

• The New Moon was seen from Ofakim by Musa. The moon was first sighted at 16:45 and Venus was first sighted at 16:40.

• The New Moon was seen from Arad. The moon was first sighted at 17:05.

• The New Moon was seen from Jerusalem by Nehemia Gordon. The moon was first sighted at 16:54.

Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel

Some of the reports in this newsletter were collected by Magdi Shamuel of Ashdod, Israel. Magdi Shamuel's article on the Calendar can be seen at:
Karaite Calendar by Magdi Shamuel

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