The Sun's Vertical Depression Effect on True Dawn: A Visual Observation Study

Authors

  • Hariyadi Putraga Observatorium Ilmu Falak Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8667-8167
  • Arwin Juli Rakhmadi Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara
  • Ahmad Abdulwfa National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47766/astroislamica.v5i1.7573

Keywords:

True Dawn, Visual, Sun vertical depression

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of the Sun's vertical depth on the appearance of true Dawn in Medan City using the naked-eye observation method. Observations in Medan show that the true dawn light first appears when the Sun is at a depression angle of −14° to −12° below the eastern horizon. The difference between the visible true Dawn and the official dawn time (-20°) is about 6°. These results are consistent with more than 30 studies conducted across over 10 countries at various latitudes, utilizing approximately five different monitoring methods. These results confirm the need to correct the dawn time based on local observations and actual sky conditions, so that the determination of the time of worship better aligns with astronomical reality.

Author Biographies

Arwin Juli Rakhmadi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara

Prodi Ilmu Falak UMSU

Ahmad Abdulwfa, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)

References

Abdel-Fattah, Abdel-Hadi Yasser, and Amir Hussein Hassan. “The Effect of Sun Elevation on the Twilight Stages in Malaysia.” International Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 12, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/doi.org/10.4236/ijaa.2022.121002.

Amrulloh, Moh. Afif. “PENENTUAN AWAL WAKTU SHALAT SUBUH MENURUT KEMENTERIAN AGAMA DAN ALIRAN SALAFI.” JURISDICTIE, 2012. https://doi.org/10.18860/j.v0i0.2165.

Ardi, Unggul Suryo. “Problematika Awal Waktu Shubuh Antara Fiqih Dan Astronomi.” AL - AFAQ : Jurnal Ilmu Falak Dan Astronomi 2, no. 2 (2021): 87–102. https://doi.org/10.20414/afaq.v2i2.2921.

Hariyadi Putraga. “Tinjauan Saintifik Awal Waktu Subuh” 1, no. 1 (2018): 34–43.

Hassan, A.H., Yasser A. Abdel-Hadi, I.A. Issa, and N.Y. Hassanin. “Naked Eye Observations for Morning Twilight at Different Sites in Egypt.” NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics 3, no. 1 (2014): 23–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrjag.2014.02.002.

Hassan, Amir Hussein, Yasser Abdel-Fattah Abdel-Hadi, Usama Ali Rahoma, and I. A. Issa. “NAKED EYE ESTIMATES OF MORNING PRAYER AT TUBRUQ OF LIBYA.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 3, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2021.3.2.8625.

Hussien, M.M., N. N. M. Shariff, A. Bakry, I. M. Nouh, and A. H. Hassan. “The Effect of the Total Energy of the Stars and the Presence of the Moon Above the Horizon on the Onset of True Dusk and True Dawn.” Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management 10, no. 50 (2025): 840–52.

Ismail, Ruslandi, Alhan Devina Kharida. “Analisis Tingkat Kecerahan Langit Malam Terhadap Visibilitas Hilal Menggunakan Sky Quality Meter Di Observatorium Malikussaleh Lhokseumawe.” Astroislamica: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 4, no. 1 (2025): 25–39. https://doi.org/10.47766/astroislamica.v4i1.3374.

Marzouk, B A, Nasser M Ahmed, K A Edris, R A Mawad, M M Beheary, A Bakry, A H Ibrahim, et al. “Sun Vertical Depressions and Their Effects on the Morning Twilight Phases in Egypt BT - Proceedings of the 14th Arabic Conference of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.” edited by Hamid M K Al Naimiy, Hussein M Elmehdi, and Ihsan A Shehadi, 178–209. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2025.

Muhammad Hadi Bashori. Pengantar Ilmu Falak. Jakarta: Pustaka al-Kautsar, 2015.

Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah. “Keputusan Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah Nomor 734/KEP/1.0/B/2021 Tentang Tanfidz Keputusan Musyawarah Nasional XXXI Tarjih Muhammadiyah Tentang Kriteria Awal Waktu Subuh.” Tanfidz Munas Tarjih, 2021.

Purwanti, Karina Aulia. Awal Waktu Salat Subuh Perspektif Kementrian Agama RI. Vol. 1, 2022.

Putraga, Hariyadi, Abu Yazid Raisal, Muhammad Dimas Firdaus, and Arwin Juli Rakhmadi. “Analisis Peningkatan Polusi Cahaya Berdasarkan Pembacaan SQM Dan Citra Satelit VIIRS Tahun 2017 – 2022 Di Kota Medan.” AL - AFAQ : Jurnal Ilmu Falak Dan Astronomi 5, no. 1 (2023): 28–41. https://doi.org/10.20414/afaq.v5i1.7250.

Putraga, Hariyadi, Arwin Juli Rakhmadi, Muhammad Hidayat, and Muhammad Dimas Firdaus. “Penentuan Waktu Malam Menggunakan Sky Quality Meter Dengan Pendekatan Moving Average.” ORBITA: Jurnal Kajian, Inovasi Dan Aplikasi Pendidikan Fisika 8, no. 2 (2022): 313. https://doi.org/10.31764/orbita.v8i2.11363.

Rakhmadi, Arwin Juli, Hasrian Rudi Setiawan, and Abu Yazid Raisal. “Pengukuran Tingkat Polusi Cahaya Dan Awal Waktu Subuh Di OIF UMSU Dengan Menggunakan Sky Quality Meter.” Titian Ilmu: Jurnal Ilmiah Multi Sciences 12, no. 2 (2020). https://doi.org/10.30599/jti.v12i2.667.

Rashed, M. G., Yasser A. Abdel-Hadi, M. S. El-Nawawy, M. Y. Amin, U. A. Rahoma, M. A. Semeida, A. Abul-Wafa, et al. “DETERMINATION OF THE TRUE DAWN BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS AT FAYUM IN.” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 13, no. 10 (2022): 8–24. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9K3MJ.

Ritonga, Marataon. “Pengamatan Fajar Shadiq Menggunakan All Sky Camera Di Kota Medan.” UIN Walisongo Semarang, 2022.

———. “Problematika Syafak Dan Fajar Dalam Menentukan Waktu Salat Isyak Dan Subuh.” Al-Marshad: Jurnal Astronomi Islam Dan Ilmu-Ilmu Berkaitan 7, no. 2 (2021): 169–82.

Rohmah, Nihayatur. “Pengaruh Suhu Dan Kelembaban Atmosfer Terhadap Ketampakan Fajar Shadiq.” Al-Mabsut: Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Sosial 8, no. 2 (2014): 1–14.

Saksono, Tono, and Mohamad Ali Fulazzaky. “Predicting the Accurate Period of True Dawn Using a Third-Degree Polynomial Model.” NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics 9, no. 1 (January 2020): 238–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/20909977.2020.1738106.

Sultan, Abdul Haq. “Sun Apparent Motion and Salat Times.” Al-Irshaad 08 (2004): 7–13.

Taha, Ayman I, Zaki A Al- Mostafa, S F Ragheb, A H Hassan, and M M Hussien. “Observation of the True Dawn for Three Different Countries in the Arab Region.” Emirati Journal of Space and Astronomy Sciences 3, no. 1 (2025): 4–17. https://doi.org/10.54878/e3q5jd54.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-04