What is the process one must use to correctly sight the moon?
If you know that the beginning of the month was based on an authentic crescent sighting, count 29 days from the start date and start looking about 15 minutes after sunset. Look in the direction where the sun set, just above, or up to 30 degrees to the right, or 30 degrees to the left. Keep looking until the time of moonset that you can obtain from local newspapers. Binoculars help. Have one or more persons with you, if possible. If you do this for a few months, you will know yourself about improving your procedure. You should keep in mind the distinction between occasions when the Crescent is “difficult but DEFINITELY and repeatedly seen”, and occasions when the Crescent is “possibly fleetingly glimpsed but NOT DEFINITELY seen.” For the former the Crescent should be continuously visible for at least five seconds in a sky location which is consistent from one minute to the next and the shape of the brightening should be consistent with the Moon-Sun angle. If in ANY doubt, accept that yo
