Kamal Ghorui
Residents across the UAE and the wider region may witness a remarkable celestial event tonight, as the Ramazan moon is set to appear directly above the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.Astronomers from the Jeddah Astronomical Society, have announced that on February 28, 2026, the moon will be 87 to 89 per cent illuminated, making it bright and clearly visible in the night sky.At 10:40pm Saudi Arabia Standard Time, the moon will align directly above the Kaaba. Experts note that those observing the moon’s position at that moment can use it as a natural guide to determine the direction of the Qibla (the direction of prayer towards Mecca).Engineer Majid Al-Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that the moon will reach an altitude of approximately 89.98 degrees, placing it just one arcminute short of a perfect 90-degree alignment.At the time of alignment, the moon will be around 11.3 to 11.6 days old, placing it midway through its 29.5-day lunar cycle following the new moon.With illumination reaching nearly 91%, lunar craters and surface features are expected to appear more distinct when viewed through telescopes.Adding to the spectacle, the Nathura cluster in the Cancer constellation, also known as the ‘Beehive Cluster’, will coincide with the alignment. Both the moon and the cluster may be visible within the same field of view using binoculars, while in darker locations, the cluster could even be spotted with the naked eye.Astronomers cautioned that visibility may vary depending on local weather conditions and noted that the alignment will be visible only for a brief period.
