Nigeria to Witness First Lunar Crescent on 28 February – NASRDA

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has announced that Nigeria is expected to witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on 28 February 2025.

Dr Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, made this known in a statement on Saturday. He explained that the lunar crescent is predicted to occur at 1:45 a.m. West African Time (WAT), a moment referred to as Crescent Zero Hour. At this time, the crescent may be observed under optimal atmospheric conditions using optical instruments such as binoculars or telescopes.

According to Ale, the crescent will become visible to the naked eye on the evening of Friday, 28 February, between 6:17 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. across different locations in Nigeria.

• Maiduguri will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent, visible from 6:17 p.m. to 6:48 p.m., followed by Yola from 6:21 p.m. to 6:51 p.m.
• Damaturu will experience the crescent between 6:22 p.m. and 6:53 p.m., while Kano, Katsina, Jos, and Kaduna will see it between 6:38 p.m. and 7:12 p.m.
• In Enugu, the lunar crescent will be visible between 6:42 p.m. and 7:32 p.m., with sunset and moonset occurring at 6:42 p.m. and 7:18 p.m., respectively.
• The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will witness the crescent between 6:44 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., with sunset and moonset around 6:44 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
• The last cities to see the lunar crescent will be Lagos and Abeokuta, between 6:59 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ale noted that other cities across Nigeria would experience the lunar crescent at varying times within the estimated visibility window of 6:17 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. on the same day.

“For a clear sighting of the first lunar crescent, observers should use optical aids where necessary and ensure they are in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset,” he advised.

He added that the scientific report provided accurate lunar crescent predictions for various locations, ensuring precision for those who rely on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.

NASRDA encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilise the findings and stated that anyone requiring further analysis could visit the agency’s official website: www.nasrda.gov.ng.

Dr. Bonaventure Okere, Director of the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), a research centre under NASRDA, described the crescent as the first stage of the moon’s cycle. He highlighted its significance in Islamic traditions, where it determines important rites such as the beginning of the Ramadan fast.

“The Islamic faith uses moon phases to mark religious observances, but astronomers study the moon’s rising and setting cycles to determine lunar days, which typically last 28 days,” Okere explained.

He added that astronomers rely on these cycles to generate lunar calendars and understand the moon’s daily phases.

This astronomical event marks an important moment for both scientific research and cultural observances in Nigeria.