The center is concerned with monitoring the crescent of the month of Ramadan and other Hijri crescents (social networking sites)
In a step aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in the field of space science and crescent determination, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved the launch of the Royal Commission for the Holy City of Mecca and the Holy Sites as a supervisory body for the project of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Cosmic Science and Crescent Observation, the Mecca Clock, and the internal and external crescent observatories.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Cosmology and Crescent Observation is a strategic project that aims to enhance scientific research in the field of cosmology and crescent observation, develop the techniques and tools used in this field, and provide advisory services to concerned parties inside and outside the Kingdom.
The center also aims to enhance scientific cooperation with universities and other research institutions at the local and international levels.
The inauguration of the center comes as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and support the science and technology sectors. The center seeks to be a leading center in the field of space science at the level of the Arab and Islamic world, and to contribute to enhancing scientific and technical cooperation between countries in the region.
Mecca Clock is an accurate time reference for Muslims and guests of the Holy Mosque in Mecca (social networking sites)
Main objectives
The center's main tasks include:
Crescent detection with high accuracy by using the latest astronomical techniques and tools, as it is concerned with monitoring the crescent of the month of Ramadan and other Hijri and Eastern crescents.
Observing celestial bodies and studying astronomical phenomena such as stars, planets, galaxies and meteorites using advanced astronomy techniques to understand, analyze and document astronomical phenomena.
Developing techniques and tools by improving the devices and techniques used in astronomical observation and analyzing astronomical data. The center also seeks to use modern technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve observation and analysis processes.
Advisory services: The center will provide advisory services to concerned parties in the field of space science and crescent monitoring, and will provide technical, scientific and technical consultations to governmental and private institutions.
The center is expected to have a significant positive impact on society, by promoting scientific research and technology development, spreading astronomical awareness, and unifying the sighting of the crescent in the Islamic world.
Promoting scientific research is a main goal of the Center for Cosmic Science and Crescent Observation (Communication Sites)
Important motivators
In this regard, the Saudi researcher in space and crescent sciences, Muhammad Al-Omrani, says that the inauguration of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Cosmic Sciences and Crescent Observation came as a result of several important reasons and incentives, most notably the remarkable development in interest in space sciences and the universe in general in the recent period, indicating that governments and scientific institutions have realized the great importance. To understand and explore the universe in order to expand knowledge and develop technology.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Al-Omrani considers that scientific research in the field of space sciences and astronomy is a major driver of technological development and scientific discoveries, and by establishing an advanced center for research and crescent monitoring, the ability to carry out high-quality scientific studies and provide advanced technologies in this field is enhanced.
The same speaker believes that establishing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Cosmic Science and Crescent Observation would enhance national capabilities in the field of space and cosmic sciences by attracting local scientists and researchers and providing an appropriate environment for research and learning, thus developing the skills and expertise of Saudi specialists in this vital field.
The center promotes international cooperation and scientific exchange in the field of space science, as it provides a platform for Saudi scientists to interact and cooperate with international researchers and scientists and exchange experiences and knowledge in this important field, according to Al-Omrani.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Cosmic Science and Crescent Observation aims to support the science and technology sectors (SPA)
observatory
The same researcher also points out that the establishment of the center comes to meet the urgent need for an advanced astronomical observatory in Saudi Arabia, as the observatory contributes to monitoring the crescent moon and other astronomical phenomena and providing accurate and reliable data to researchers and those interested in astronomy.
Al-Omrani considered that the inauguration of the center is an important step towards the Kingdom’s progress in the field of space sciences and astronomical observation, as it provides an advanced infrastructure for monitoring celestial bodies and identifying crescents with high accuracy, and this contributes to enhancing scientific research and technological development in this field.
In addition, the center is a gathering point for researchers and experts in the field of space sciences and astronomical observation, and thus it can be a center for scientific cooperation and technical exchange with Arab and Islamic countries. By providing advisory and technical services, the center can contribute to building the capabilities of other countries in this field.
The Saudi researcher adds that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Cosmology and Crescent Observation will work to develop modern and accurate crescent monitoring methods, and provide the scientific data necessary to determine the beginning of the Hijri months, and this will have a major impact on improving the accuracy of the Hijri calendar and unifying the sighting of the crescent in the Islamic world.
Al-Omrani also pointed out that the center includes the Mecca Clock, which is a distinctive astronomical clock that relies on satellite technologies and astronomical analysis to determine prayer times and religious events with high accuracy in Mecca, which makes it an accurate time reference for Muslims and guests of the Holy Mosque in Mecca.
The same spokesman adds that the center will also work to spread astronomical and scientific knowledge among the public by providing educational resources and scientific information through its electronic platforms, as it aims to educate people and encourage them to explore the universe and understand it better.
Source: Al Jazeera + Saudi Press