moon sighting goes high tech

Moon Sighting Goes High-Tech
For hundreds of years, Muslims have scanned the skies for the first silver of the new moon that ends the month of Ramadan and begins the Feast of Fast Breaking. Traditionally, in some areas that sighting had to be made with the naked eye, after which a religious leader would make an announcement to the faithful. Within the past few years, however, some clerics have sanctioned high-tech methods. Iranian astronomers, accompanied by clerics who verify their sightings, now use high-definiton telescopes, night-vision equipment, and even planes loaded with sensitive observation equipment. An early sighting means an early start to the holiday.