Current:Home > BackHow the 2024 solar eclipse could impact the end of Ramadan and start of Eid-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
How the 2024 solar eclipse could impact the end of Ramadan and start of Eid
View Date:2025-01-11 13:44:02
For Muslims across America, the end of Ramadan is a time to rejoice and celebrate, but it can also be a tricky time. However, this year, the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid coincides with the solar eclipse, which could make things a little less confusing.
Like the start of the Holy month, Eid Al-Fitr, the holiday commemorating its end is also based on the sighting of the crescent moon. For Muslims, living in the U.S. and other non-Muslim countries, this means, requesting the day off to celebrate is a challenging situation.
Imagine telling your boss you need a day off but you're not sure if it's going to be Tuesday or Wednesday. You also won't know for sure until the night before because you must wait to see if the crescent moon is actually spotted.
The two holidays follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, a lunar cycle. Each year, the holidays fall about 11 days before they do the year before determining their start always comes down to when the crescent moon is seen in the sky.
For most people in the world, and particularly in the U.S., Ramadan this year began on the evening of Sunday, March 10, with fasting beginning the next morning. Fasting typically lasts 29 or 30 days, making Eid celebrations either Tuesday, April 9, or Wednesday, April 10.
Total solar eclipse and the crescent moon
On Monday, April 8, millions across North America will be looking up to see the first total eclipse in North America in seven years. The moon's orbit will cause it to completely blot out the sun's disk. A large swath of North America, including the United States will experience the uncharacteristic daytime darkness This total eclipse won't happen again in the US for another 20 years.
The solar eclipse means a new moon and experts say it's very unlikely to spot the crescent within hours of a new moon. According to the United States Naval Observatory, sighting a lunar crescent within a day of a new moon is "usually difficult."
Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler told USA TODAY since the eclipse will happen in the early afternoon on Monday, the moon phase will be no more than 5 to 6 hours old at sunset, so it "will not be possible to see the crescent Moon that evening."
"The crescent Moon should be visible the following day at sunset, but not on Monday," Zeiler said.
That means Eid most likely won't fall on Tuesday.
The Naval Observatory reported that naked-eye sightings of the crescent have been reliably reported as early as 15.5 hours after a New Moon while observers with telescopes have made reliable reports as early as 12.1 hours after New Moon.
"Because these observations are exceptional, crescent sightings this early in the lunar month should not be expected as the norm," the observatory wrote on its website.
While Muslims across the world will still have to wait till Monday night, to know for certain, the total solar eclipse and New Moon suggest requesting Wednesday off for Eid if a fair bet.
veryGood! (93)
Related
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- U.S. launches another strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen
- Florida's immigration law brings significant unintended consequences, critics say
- Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros votes for president in Africa’s first election of 2024
- NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
- As Israel-Hamas war reaches 100-day mark, here’s the conflict by numbers
- Republican candidates struggle with Civil War history as party grapples with race issues in present
- How Wealthy Corporations Use Investment Agreements to Extract Millions From Developing Countries
- Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon’s 5th District, will be state’s first Black member of Congress
- Opinion: Women with obesity are often restricted from IVF. That's discriminatory
Ranking
- Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
- See how people are trying to stay warm for Chiefs vs. Dolphins at frigid Arrowhead Stadium
- Chiefs vs. Dolphins highlights: How Kansas City shut down Miami to win frigid wild-card game
- Ranking Packers-Cowboys playoff games: From Dez Bryant non-catch to Ice Bowl
- Chiefs block last-second field goal to save unbeaten record, beat Broncos
- NFL fans are facing freezing temperatures this weekend. Here are some cold-weather tips tested at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro
- From Berlin to Karachi, thousands demonstrate in support of either Israel or the Palestinians
- In Iowa, GOP presidential candidates concerned about impact of freezing temperatures on caucus turnout
Recommendation
-
Ben Affleck and His Son Samuel, 12, Enjoy a Rare Night Out Together
-
Two Navy SEALs are missing after Thursday night mission off coast of Somalia
-
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes initially didn't notice broken helmet, said backup 'was frozen'
-
Nick Saban will be in Kalen DeBoer's ear at Alabama. And that's OK | Opinion
-
Federal judge denies request to block measure revoking Arkansas casino license
-
From Best Buy to sex videos, a now-fired university chancellor shares the backstory
-
How 'The Book of Clarence' gives a brutal scene from the Bible new resonance (spoilers)
-
Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny helped drive over 4 trillion global music streams in 2023, report finds