Fasting: Can the New Moon Be Confirmed Using Binoculars or a Telescope?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Fasting: Can the New Moon Be Confirmed Using Binoculars or a Telescope?

English:

Question #831:

Is the sighting of the new crescent through binoculars, telescope, or the like sufficient?

Answer #831:

The sighting of the new crescent with these instruments is also reliable and its ruling does not differ from that of the naked eye since the standard is to say it has been seen by eyes. However, sighting the computerized photograph of the crescent moon or the like which cannot be clearly categorized as sighting is problematic to be a proof for new month.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Fasting