JEDDAH: In a rare astronomical phenomenon, the full moon will be perfectly in a vertical position just over the Holy Ka'ba twice during the next week. According to a recent announcement by the Jeddah Astronomy Society (JAS), the full moon can be seen vertically just over the Holy Ka'ba on Saturday (Nov. 20) and on Thursday (Nov. 25). Referring to astrophysical calculations, Majed Abu Zahera, head of the JAS, said: The full moon will be perpendicular above the zenith of the Holy Ka'ba on Saturday at exactly 11:19:30 P.M. local Makkah time and moon surface will be 99 percent shiny. “The glowing of the moon will decrease to 88 percent in the next perpendicular appearing on Thursday just before the dawn prayer at 3:00:51 A.M.,” Abu Zahera added. He also said that a phenomenon of perpendicular positions in orbs like sun, moon, and planets over Holy Ka'ba is a telling evidence that the astrophysical calculation is extremely accurate and reliable. The planetary figures can exactly locate the orbs in the sky dome, he said. “We can benefit from such an occurrence in locating the Qibla (Ka'ba direction) in any place around the world. In a very simple way, without astronomical tools or telescopes, any one can locate the Qibla very accurately. Just look at the moon's location during these times on Saturday or Thursday and the Qibla is there,” Abu Zahera said. He said world pilgrims in the Grand Mosque will be able to see the full moon in the middle of the sky dome and “it will be a spectacular scene.”
