ASSESING THE ROLE OF AIR HUMIDITY IN HILAL VISIBILITY (Emperical Evidence from Jokotole Observatory, Madura)
Keywords:
Hilal Observation, Air Humidity, Observatory, Emperical, JokotoleAbstract
The development of determining the beginning of the Hijri month shows the integration of astronomical and meteorological aspects. Failure to observe the hilal observation often occurs due to meteorological factors, particularly high air humidity, which hinders visibility in the sky. This phenomenon is a significant issue because it has a direct impact on the national determination of the Hijri calendar's beginning. This paper aims to analyze the extent to which air humidity affects the success of hilal observation at the Jokotole Observatory and to identify the most ideal atmospheric conditions for observation. Rukyat and air humidity data were collected, compared, and analyzed descriptively. The results of the study show that air humidity significantly affects the success of rukyat, even when the height and elongation of the hilal observation meet the Neo Mabims criteria. Although the humidity is not completely low, the clarity of the sky and astronomical factors, such as the height of the hilal observation between 7° and 8° and an elongation of more than 9°, still allow the hilal observation to be observed well. Thus, the success of this rukyat reinforces that, in addition to humidity, the height and elongation of the hilal observation also play an important role in its visibility. This study suggests that rukyat activities should integrate real-time meteorological data and choose observation times during seasons with low humidity to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of hilal observations.
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