Karaite Korner - New Moon Report

New Moon Report
Crescent New Moon Sightings
September 1998

This page contains reports of actual New Moon sightings from Israel and is updated every month. The Biblical month begins with the Crescent New Moon, or First Visible Sliver, seen from Israel.

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Karaite Korner - New Moon Report
September 1998
Part 1

The New Moon was NOT seen tonight (Sept. 21, 1998) by Nehemia Gordon and Devorah Gordon from Jerusalem. Sunset was observed at 17:31. It was mildly cloudy on the horizon.

Magdi Shamuel reports that observers in Ramle and Ashdod did NOT see the New Moon. More reports are expected from Arad and Beersheba.

It is very unlikely that the New Moon was seen from other locations. The New Moon will definitely be visible tomorrow night (Sept. 22, 1998).

Nehemia Gordon
The Karaite Korner
Jerusalem, Israel

Karaite Korner - New Moon Report
September 1998
Part 2

Reports were recieved from the following locations that the new moon was NOT seen on the evening of Sept. 21,1998:

Arad (Isaac Sergani)
Kiryat Gat (20 people including Mordechai Hayinah)
Beersheba
Ofakim
Ranen
Ashdod (Magdi Shamuel and Ya'akov Braham)
Jeursalem (Nehemia Gordon and Devorah Gordon)

Magdi Shamuel relates that the Sun was seen setting from most locations indicating clear weather conditions. He also relates that there was rain at some locations in the morning which may have cleaned polution from the atmosphere.

Given the clear weather conditions and the large number of observers, Rosh Hodesh should NOT be observed this evening (September 21, 1998). Tomorrow evening the New Moon will definitely be visible and Rosh Hodesh should be kept from sunset Sept. 22 to sunset Sept. 23, 1998.

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

Karaite Korner - New Moon Report
September 1998
Part 3

The New Moon was NOT seen by Nehemia Gordon and Devorah Gordon from Jerusalem. There was massive cloud coverage and light drizzling. Sun set was observed through a crack in the clouds at 17:30 local time. We stayed at the observation spot till 18:40 (the predicted time of moon set) but were not able to see the moon.

Given the great size of the moon's illumination and lagtime it would have been visibile under better weather conditions. Furthermore, we also recieved reports from Omar Ofzal that the moon was seen in Cape Town, South Africa and from Darrel K. Whitfield that the moon was seen in the United States last night, September 21, 1998. Given this the moon would inevitably have been visible on Sept. 22 had it not been for the massive cloud coverage. Therefore, Rosh Hodesh should be celebrated from sunset September 22 to sunset September 23.

Reports from other parts of Israel will not be available till at the earliest Wednesday night Israel time.

Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel

Karaite Korner - New Moon Report
September 1998
Part 4

On Tuesday September 22, 1998:

The New Moon was SEEN at 17:38 by Avi Dabah from Ashdod BEFORE SUNSET. Magdi Shamuel saw the moon at 17:39 from the same location BEFORE SUNSET. Sun set was observed at 17:40.
The moon was also seen from Ramle, Arad, and Ofakim.

These observations confirm that Rosh Hodesh was from sunset September 22 till sunset Spetember 23, 1998.

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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