Monthly Moon-Sighting Information for all the States in
In astronomy, a crescent is the shape of the lit side of a spherical body (most notably the Moon). Moon-sighting is an act of observing the first lunar crescent, as well as the subsequent phases of the Moon after the ‘birth’ of a New Moon. Interestingly, this is one of the oldest sciences known to humanity as it dates back to 2300 years BC. The early observers of lunar crescent employed unaided eye observation in order to achieve their target objectives some of which include: planting season determination, navigation, as well as determination of the seasons for various religious activities. But today, our Centre (CBSS) is making use of an optical telescope in order to achieve a better result in Moon-sighting research.
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MOON
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MOON
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SUN
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SUN |
APPEARANCE OF | |
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STATE
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LAT[˚ 'N]
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LONG[˚'E]
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RISE |
SET
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RISE
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SET
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Abia
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Umuahia
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05 32
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07 29
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Adamawa
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Yola
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09 23
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12 46
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Akwa-Ibom
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Uyo
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05 03
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07 56
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Anambra
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Awka
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06 12
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07 04
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Bauchi
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Bauchi
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10 19
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09 50
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Borno
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11 50
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13 09
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Makurdi
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07 44
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08 32
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Bayelsa
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Yenogoa
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04 55
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06 15
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C/River
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Calabar
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04 57
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08 19
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06;24 PM
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Delta
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Asaba
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06 11
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06 45
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06 27
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07 30
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FCT
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09 03
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07 32
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Ebonyi
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Abakaliki
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06 20
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08 06
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Ekiti
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Ado-Ekiti
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07 37
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05 13
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06 19
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05 36
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Gombe
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Gombe
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10 17
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11 10
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Imo
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Owerri
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05 29
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07 02
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Jigawa
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Dutse
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11 44
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09 17
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10 31
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07 26
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12 00
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08 31
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Katsina
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Katsina
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12 59
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07 36
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Kebbi
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Birni-Kebbi
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12 27
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04 12
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Kwara
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08 30
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04 33
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Kogi
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Lokoja
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07 49
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06 45
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Minna
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09 37
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06 34
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Nassarawa
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Lafia
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08 29
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08 31
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Ondo
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Akure
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07 15
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05 11
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Osun
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07 46
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04 34
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Ikeja
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06 35
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03 20
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Oyo
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07 23
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03 55
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Ogun
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07 09
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03 21
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Plateau
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Jos
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09 56
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08 53
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Rivers
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P.Harcourt
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04 45
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07 00
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Sokoto
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Sokoto
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13 04
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05 14
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Taraba
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Jalingo
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08 54
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11 22
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Yobe
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Damaturu
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11 44
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11 57
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Zamfara
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Gusau
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12 10
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06 40
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Very Important Information:
Crescent Moon observers in Nigeria should note that on this Saturday the 19th day of September, 2009 which is the very day the thin lunar crescent will first appear in the sky, the Sun and the Moon will set at almost the same time with just about 30minutes difference (the Moon will set about 30minutes after Sun-set) in all the states of the federation. So, an observer has about 30minutes after Sun-set to search for the very thin crescent Moon. Furthermore, the thin lunar crescent will be very low (less than 10 degrees) in the Western horizon as at the time of Sun-set. Thus, it will be extremely difficult (though not impossible) for the thin lunar crescent to be sighted before it goes down the Western horizon, since it can easily be lost in the twilight horizon.