'Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM Press)'
Abstract
The main challenge in the young crescent moon (YCM) observation is the ability to detect the appearance of the
YCM, which has varying contrast due to the phenomenon of twilight. The advancement of technology in digital
imaging helps the faint and thin image of the YCM to be detected and taken during observation. The techniques used
in the observations of the YCM were naked eyes, telescope, and telescope with cameras. A digital imaging technique
is also being used in the observations to assist in detecting and recording the image of the YCM more effectively.
This paper presents the analysis of the YCM observation data recorded at Telok Kemang Observatory from 2000
to the present. A total of 275 observation sessions were conducted during this study, with 87 positive sightings
successfully recorded. The studies found that the smallest elongation and the minimum altitude at sunset of the
YCM successfully recorded were 6.81° and 5.40°, respectively. The moon was recorded at an altitude of 3.37°, while
the sky is still bright with the sun at an altitude of –2.64° using the digital imaging technique. Based on the records,
the YCM which has the minimum criteria of Imkanur Rukyah, i.e., altitude of 2° and elongation of 3° at sunset was
never detected or recorded during the 22 years of observations. Therefore, this work suggests the need to change the
visibility of Imkanur Rukyah criteria used since 1995 to a more potentially observable criterion. In other aspects,
the lengthy observation activities have contributed to the development of a database system for JAKIM that other
researchers can access