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The UAE has shared a rare daylight photograph of the Ramadan crescent moon, captured during an uncommon astronomical event aimed at documenting the lunar month’s birth, according to local astronomers.
The image shows a thin crescent marking Ramadan 1447 AH, taken in broad daylight on February 18, 2026, around 10:30 a.m. UAE time from Abu Dhabi, officials announced.
Astronomers at the International Astronomical Centre indicated that the crescent was recorded using advanced imaging methods at the Khatm Astronomical Observatory, enabling detection of the moon even when it was too faint to see with the naked eye.
The centre reported that the moon was approximately 16.6 hours old at the time of the photo and positioned roughly 9.8 degrees from the sun.
This successful daytime capture is considered a significant astronomical milestone, providing scientific confirmation of the moon’s emergence before it becomes visible after sunset.
Experts noted that the first crescent is typically visible to the naked eye when the moon is between 18 and 24 hours old—a range influenced by weather, sky clarity, and the moon’s position relative to the horizon.
They explained that spotting a moon aged 15 to 16 hours is rare but achievable under optimal conditions, while observing a moon less than 12 hours old usually requires sophisticated equipment.
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