2005/05/09

Dear All,

 

  The New Moon was clearly seen from Israel tonight (Monday 9th May 2005). I saw it from Maale Adumim with binoculars starting at 19:21 and with the naked eye at 19:33.

 

 

The Moon as seen from Maale Adumim, Israel at 19:50 on Monday 9th May 2005

  Last night (Sunday 8th May 2005) the Moon was seen only with a 200 mm telescope by Jim Stamm from Tucson, Arizona, USA from 19:21 till 19:40 (T 26°C, P 911 mbar, RH 18%).

 

  Next month's New Moon on Tuesday 7th June 2005 is on the limit of visibility from Israel. It is also a very young Moon at 18¾ hours. This is an important observation so please try to see it. If it is not seen, then please look again the next day.

 

  A problem of terminology has arisen and I need your feedback to resolve it. The issue is this: the Hebrew term Rosh Chodesh is translated in the Tanakh as 'New Moon' and refers to the day after the Moon is first seen. The Arabic term 'Hilal' refers to the Moon as seen at the beginning of the month and is usually translated as 'crescent'. The Royal Astronomical Society uses the term 'new Moon' to refer to the conjunction and 'young crescent Moon' to refer to the Moon's first appearance. My question is should we be referring to New Moons or young crescent Moons when describing its first appearance? If a change is necessary then should we rename the society as the Israeli Young Crescent Moon Society or something similar?

 

  A similar question arises in Hebrew but I will switch to Hebrew to discuss it.

 

  באנגלית קוראים לירח בהופעתו הראשונה New Moon אן young crescent Moon ובערבית 'הילל'. התרגום המקובל מהערבית הוא 'סהר'. האם יש לקרוא לירח בהופעתו הראשונה 'הירח החדש', 'הירח המתחדש', 'סהר' או 'סהר הירח'? במידה ויש צורך לשנות האם יש לשנות את שם האגודה ל-האגודה הישראלית לחקר סהר הירח או משהו דומה?

 

  נא לשלוח אלי את הדעות והצעות שלכם.

Please send me you opinions and ideas.

 

Yours,

Roy.

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