NASRDA Predicts First Lunar Crescent Visibility for February

By Emmanuel Kwada

The National Space Research and Development Agency has predicted that the first astronomical lunar crescent visibility for February 2025 will occur on Friday, February 28, 2025.

In a statement on Friday, the Director, Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, Dr. Felix Ale, said the prediction was made by NASRDA’s Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy.

NASRDA building in Abuja

He stated, “The National Space Research and Development Agency, through its Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, has successfully calculated and predicted that the first astronomical lunar crescent visibility for February 2025 will appear on Friday, 28th 2025.”

A lunar crescent, also known as the crescent moon, is the thin curved shape of the Moon that becomes visible when only a small portion of its surface is illuminated by the Sun.

The Moon’s conjunction will occur at approximately 1:45 AM (WAT) on Friday, February 28

This phase occurs either after a new moon, as the Moon begins to wax, or before a new moon, when it wanes.

The sighting of the first lunar crescent is particularly significant in religious and cultural contexts, as it is used to determine the beginning of a new lunar month.

According to Ale, the Moon’s conjunction will occur at approximately 1:45 AM (WAT) on Friday, February 28, marking what is known as the crescent zero (0) hour.

He added that, “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 explained that the crescent will become visible to the naked eye in the evening of February 28, 2025, between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across different locations in Nigeria.

The first visibility of the crescent will be possible under perfect atmospheric conditions with the aid of optical instruments such as binoculars or telescopes

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 in Adamawa State from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM, and Damaturu in Yobe State from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM.

Kano, Katsina, Jos, and Kaduna will experience the first lunar crescent between 6:38 PM and 7:12 PM, with sunset and moonset occurring between 6:35 PM and 7:17 PM.

In Enugu, the crescent will appear between 6:42 PM and 7:32 PM, with sunset and moonset occurring at about 6:42 PM and 7:18 PM.

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, the first lunar crescent will appear between 6:44 PM and 7:15 PM, with sunset and moonset at about 6:44 PM and 7:20 PM.

Use optical aids where necessary, ensure clear atmospheric conditions

The last cities to experience the lunar crescent are Lagos and Abeokuta, where visibility will occur between 6:59 PM and 7:30 PM.

Other cities across the country will experience the lunar crescent at different times within the estimated visibility window between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM.

Ale advised observers to use optical aids where necessary, ensure clear atmospheric conditions, and find unobstructed views of the western horizon after sunset for better sighting.

He emphasised that the scientific report provides precise predictions on the date, time of appearance, sunset, and moonset for all state capitals, ensuring accuracy for those relying on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.

The Space Agency encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilize these findings and access additional data for further analysis via www.nasrda.gov.ng.

He reaffirmed NASRDA’s commitment to advancing astronomical research in Nigeria and enhancing the understanding of celestial events for scientific, religious, and cultural purposes.

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