Expected New Moons and Appointed Times for 2007

     Listed below are the computations for 2007/2008 CE for the expected dates of New Moon visibility from Jerusalem, as well as the moladim (i.e., average time of astronomical conjunction) of the Calculated Rabbinical Calendar (CRC). The difference between the dates for the two calendars is also noted.

     The possible projected dates for the Eternal's Appointed Times for 2007 are given in the tables below the New Moon listings. Please check back for updates.

     The Biblical New Year commenced this year on the evening of Tuesday, March 20 in accordance with the maturity level of the barley in Israel and the sighting of the New Moon.

PLEASE NOTE:  The "Visible Crescents" column dates are the dates on which the New Moon is expected to be seen--beginning at sunset of the listed day. All dates listed are to be reckoned from sunset of listed day and date through the next day at sunset in the following New Moon table. [If the VISIBLE CRESCENT column lists Thursday, March 30, for example, then the 1st day of that month by crescent is from sunset of March 30 through sunset of March 31. If the CRC's MOLAD column lists Wednesday, March 29, then by CRC's molad, it is from sunset of March 29 through sunset of March 30.]

* There is a slight chance that the 9th New Moon may not be visible on November 11. It probably will be visible, but in the event that it is not seen, here are the stats for the following evening's sighting: On Monday, November 12, there will be a 6.43 % illumination with an 87 minute lagtime. 

*Heavy Clouds blocked the view of the New Moon on these dates. On Saturday, January 20th,  2007, Nehemia Gordon reported, "Observers across Israel reported heavy clouds and rain. With 2.85% illumination and 88 minutes lagtime visibility would have been certain had there not been clouds." On Sunday, February 18, 2007 observers across Israel searched for the new moon but it was not sighted. Heavy cloud coverage was reported across the Land. On Saturday October 13, 2007, Nehemia Gordon reported, "observers across Israel looked for the moon but it was not sighted due to heavy cloud coverage. Even though the moon was not sighted, tonight it is still new moon day by default since the month cannot be more than 30 days." On Sunday November 11, 2007, Gordon reported, "observers across Israel looked for the new moon but it was not sighted due to heavy cloud coverage. The moon had 2.65% illumination and 41 minutes lagtime and therefore would have been visible from Israel had there been no clouds." On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, Nehemia Gordon reported, "observers across Israel looked for the new moon but it was not sighted. There was heavy cloud coverage. The moon had 1.38% illumination and 56 minutes lagtime which puts it within the potential visibility range based on previous sightings from Israel." On Saturday, March 8, 2008, Roy Hoffman reported, "The Moon was not seen from Israel tonight. Clouds were reported from Maale Adumim and Arad. The Moon would have been seen were it not for the clouds and haze."

     The Scriptures declare the New Year to begin with the New Moon of the abib--which is the stage of barley growth wherein the barley is in the ear and its seed remains when parched. The CRC's leap year (i.e., years with a 13th month) determination however is solely based upon the Metonic Cycle, and therefore has no true relation to the stage of growth of the barley in the Land of Israel. We will know for a surety when each year begins once the barley reports are received. Please check back for updates. If you would like to receive an email report of the search for abib-stage barley, you can sign up at Karaite Korner Abib/New Moon Reports

* molad - The CRC, contrary to what some may think, is not based on first visibilty of the moon after conjunction--it is based on the "molad." The Hebrew word means "birth," but the term in rabbinical calculated calendar usage refers to the average conjunction of the earth, moon, and sun (average length being 29.53059 days). The molad may occur on the actual astronomical new moon, but the two terms are not interchangable.  The molad may also occur upon the first day of crescent visibility, or yet within a few days on either side of it (as evidenced in the chart above).

Email: Brian Hoeck

©2005 Truth On The Web Ministries: All the articles originated by Kenneth Hoeck and/or Brian Hoeck may be freely distributed or mirrored as long as presented in their entirety (including this statement), attributed to Truth on The Web, and proper author credit given.

See also Projected Appointed Times for 2001-2010

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