Abu Dhabi (HRNW) – UAE astronomers have issued a safety warning to citizens attempting to view the crescent moon on February 17, cautioning that using binoculars or telescopes could cause temporary or permanent eye damage.
Experts explained that a solar eclipse on the same day will place the moon very close to the sun at sunset, increasing the risk of harmful direct or indirect sunlight entering viewers’ eyes. According to the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Center (IAC), the angular distance between the sun and moon in Riyadh will be only about one degree, making safe observation extremely difficult.
Khadija Al Hariri, Operations Manager of the Dubai Astronomy Group, emphasized that even waiting for sunset may not help, as the lower edge of the moon will already be below the horizon by then. Some countries have already announced February 19 as the expected start of Ramadan based on prior astronomical calculations.
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