Keywords:
Latitude, Rukyat Hilal, Observatorium Lhoknga Aceh
Rukyat hilal of the month of Qamariah, especially the beginning of Ramadan,
and Shawwal is a study of falak which often attract attention because of the
frequent differences. This is motivated by the uncertainty of rukyat results due
to the lack of observable rukyat results. This is one of them caused by the
location of the rukyat which is not safe enough from various natural
disturbances, such as high rainfall caused of latitude. Lhoknga Observatory is
located at 50 27’ 59, 85” N and 950 14’ 31,87” E, with an altitude of 8 m, and is 15
m from the sea. But from 5 years of observation of the new moon, only one time
succeeded in destroying the hilal. The research method uses descriptive
analytical methods, collecting data by means of documentation and direct
observation. The results of this study found that one of the causes of the low
success rate of rukyatul hilal in the observatory was due to its relatively high
rainfall which reached an average of 354 mm in years. This rainfall is strongly
influenced by the latitude and geographical state of the observatory flanked by
the sea and mountains