List of Astronomical Observatories in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determines the sighting of the crescent moon, which is linked to Islamic worship practices, through a process of observation and tracking the start of Hijri months based on the lunar calendar. This is done under the supervision of the Supreme Court, which ensures the credibility of crescent sightings by requiring visual observers to undergo medical tests for visual acuity. Additionally, the Kingdom relies on astronomical observatories distributed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) across various provinces, specifically to sight the crescent moon during sunset on the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month. Below is a list of astronomical observatories in Saudi Arabia:
Fixed-location astronomical observatories in Saudi Arabia
- Astronomical observatory in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
- Astronomical observatory in Tabuk (Al-Wajh and Halat Ammar)