Suparco | Pakistan

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has predicted that the crescent marking the beginning of Rabiul Sani 1448 Hijri may be sighted on Sept 12, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Thursday announced “Jinnah-1” as the official name of the country’s first lunar rover. The rover is scheduled to be sent to the Moon in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission, where it will conduct scientific research at the lunar south pole, Suparco said. The Moon’s south pole is known for its challenging terrain and potential to yield significant scientific discoveries. In a ceremony held in Islamabad, Suparco said that the name was selected from 4,000 proposals received in a countrywide competition. Seven participants had proposed the name “Jinnah-1” and the winner was selected through a lucky draw, according to a statement from Suparco. Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, was declared the winner for proposing the name, Suparco said. The name pays tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and symbolises “Pakistan’s resolve, progress and new space horizons”, Suparco Chairman said. Jinnah-1 will study plasma, radiation and t...

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Tuesday forecast that Eidul Azha was expected to fall on May 27. “The new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH is expected to be born on May 17 at 1:01am,” it said in a statement. It said that at sunset the same day, the age of the new moon would be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes. It estimated an interval of 60 minutes between “sunset and moonset along the country’s coastal belt”. “Based on these astronomical parameters, the chances of sighting the Zilhajj crescent on the evening of May 17 are considered favourable,“ Suparco said, adding it would be subject to clear weather conditions and visibility near the horizon. “Consequently, the 1st Zilhajj 1447 AH is anticipated to fall on Monday, May 18, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Zilqad,” it said. Therefore, Eidul Azha will fall on May 27, Suparco said. “The final decision regarding the sighting of the Zilhajj crescent and the commencement of the holy month will be made by the Centra...

President Asif Ali Zardari, on Saturday, termed the successful launch of Pakistan’s indigenously developed Electro-Optical Satellite (EO-3) under the auspices of SUPARCO as a historic development.

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has forecast that Eidul Fitr is expected to fall on March 21 as the chances of sighting the Shawwal moon on March 19 remain low. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Suparco said that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was expected to be born on March 19 at 6:23am. “At the time of sunset on March 19, 2026, the age of the new moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with an estimated 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt,” it added. Based on these astronomical parameters, the statement said, the “chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19 2026 are low”. “Consequently, 1st Shawwal 1447 AH is anticipated to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramazan,” it added. However, it continued, “the final decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the commencement of Eidul Fitr 1447 AH will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal ...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said on Friday that the first day of Ramazan is “likely to fall” on February 19, 2026. The new moon is expected to be born on Feb 17, 2026, at 5:01pm, according to the statement by the space agency. “At the time of sunset on Feb 18, 2026, the age of the new moon will be approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes. The time duration between sunset and moonset is expected to be 59 minutes along the coastal areas of the country,” added the Suparco statement. “Consequently, the 1st of Ramazan may likely to fall on 19 Feb 2026.” However, the agency said the final announcement regarding the beginning of the Islamic holy month will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, “which is the sole competent authority, based on credible witness testimonies from across the country”. Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that there is a “fair chance” of sighting the new moon of Ramazan on the evening of February 18. “According to astronomica...

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has issued its scientific forecast for the sighting of the new moon marking the beginning of Ramazan 1447 Hijri, indicating a strong likelihood of visibility on the evening of February 18.

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast a possibility of sighting the new moon of Shaban 1447 AH on the evening of January 20, 2026.

The first supermoon of 2026, traditionally known as the Wolf moon, will be visible in Pakistan on January 3 and 4, according to a statement issued by Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Friday. A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, causing it to appear unusually large and bright — up to 14 per cent larger and nearly 30pc brighter than a typical full moon. “In Pakistan, the supermoon will rise at 5:51pm PKT on the evening of Jan 3, with an illumination of 99.8pc, and remains visible throughout the nights of Jan 3 and 4,” read the statement. During the current event, which marks the final supermoon of the cycle that began in October 2025, the Earth–Moon distance will be approximately 362,312 kilometers, making the moon appear about 6 to 7 per cent larger and up to 10 per cent brighter than a typical full moon, it stated. Supermoons typically occur in sequences of three to four consecutive events, with the current cycle concluding wit...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced that the new moon of Jamadi ul awwal, 1447 AH, is expected to be born on October 21 at 17:25 PST.

Pakistan on Sunday launched its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from a Chinese launch centre, the country’s space agency said, describing it as “a breakthrough achievement”. Hyperspectral imaging is a type of advanced camera technology used in satellites to study the Earth and space, according to a study published in the Journal of Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience. Unlike regular satellite cameras that capture only a few colours (like red, green, and blue), hyperspectral cameras capture hundreds of very narrow colour bands. This means they can detect tiny differences in light that the human eye, or even normal satellites, can’t see. In a statement issued today, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said, “The nation’s space agency today announced a breakthrough achievement with the successful launch of Pakistan’s first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from China.” View this post on Instagram Detailing the function of the satellite, the statement said, “HS-1 satellite ...

Pakistan’s space agency on Wednesday announced the upcoming launch of the country’s first hyperspectral satellite (HS-1) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China, scheduled for October 19. Hyperspectral imaging is a type of advanced camera technology used in satellites to study the Earth and space, according to a study published in the Journal of Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience. Unlike regular satellite cameras that capture only a few colours (like red, green, and blue), hyperspectral cameras capture hundreds of very narrow colour bands. This means they can detect tiny differences in light that the human eye, or even normal satellites, can’t see. Because of this, scientists can use hyperspectral images to identify materials, detect changes in vegetation, find minerals, monitor pollution, or even study the atmosphere in much greater detail than before. According to a statement from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the launch is a “landmark mission [which] repre...

A supermoon will be visible in the night sky late Tuesday evening (Oct 7), the first of three supermoons set to occur in 2025, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, causing it to appear unusually large and bright — up to 14 per cent larger and nearly 30pc brighter than a typical full moon. According to an official statement by a Suparco spokesperson, the first supermoon will occur at 8:47pm PKT on Tuesday, rising in the east just after sunset and setting in the west just before dawn. “This year, the October 7 supermoon will be at a distance of 224,599 miles (about 361,457 kilometres) from Earth, making it 6.6pc larger and 13pc brighter than an average full moon,” the statement said. This supermoon will appear close to the planet Saturn, which can be spotted west of the Moon on Monday and Tuesday evening. It added that the brightest supermoon of the year is expected to occur in Nove...

A total lunar eclipse will be visible over Pakistan on the night of September 7 (Sunday), according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). According to Suparco, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes. In a press release on Saturday, the space agency said that the eclipse will be visible in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, with clear visibility expected in most regions of Pakistan if the weather permits. “The event will start at 8:30pm and reach its maximum at 11:57pm,” the press release read, stating that the eclipse will conclude at 1:55am. “This is a great chance for people, especially students and astronomy enthusiasts, to connect with science and explore the wonders of our universe,” a Suparco spokesperson was quoted as saying. Sunday’s eclipse is also known as a “blood moon”, du...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has released its forecast for the sighting of the Rabi-ul-Awwal moon for the Islamic year 1447 AH.

With slim chances of moon visibility due to monsoon clouds and astronomical conditions, the beginning of Safar 1447 AH is expected to fall on Sunday, July 27, 2025, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

The festive occasion of Eidul Azha is likely to be celebrated across Pakistan on June 7, 2025, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). In a statement, the commission issued a prediction regarding the sighting of the crescent moon for the month of Zilhaj 1446 AH, “based on scientific analysis, astronomical data, and modern observational techniques.” It said according to astronomical models, the birth of the new moon for Zilhaj will occur on May 27, 2025, at 8:02pm PST. The scientific analysis for May 27, 2025 (29 Ziqa’ad) in Pakistan indicates the age of the moon at sunset will be approximately 11 hours and 34 minutes, it mentioned. “Even under the most optimal weather conditions, the possibility of the moon being sighted across the country is extremely low, as there will only be a 37-minute interval between sunset and moonset,” it added. The commission said 1st Zilhaj is expected to fall on May 29. Therefore, Eidul Azha will be celebrated across Pakistan on June 7. It added ...

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast that the Zilhaj 1446 moon is likely to be sighted on May 28, making May 29 the first day of the Islamic month.