pray-calc-ml/research/malaysia-indonesia-2018.md
Aric Camarata 6e0f4a679c Rebuild as Python data science project
Replaces the original JS calibration library with a pure Python pipeline
for collecting and back-calculating solar depression angles from human-verified
Fajr and Isha prayer sightings.

What this does:
- src/pipeline.py: master pipeline; fetches iCal + manual records, back-calculates
  angles via PyEphem, applies quality filters, exports two clean CSVs
- src/collect/openfajr.py: parses the OpenFajr Birmingham iCal feed (~4,018 records)
- src/collect/verified_sightings.py: manually compiled records from peer-reviewed
  studies (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, USA, Canada, and more)
- src/angle_calc.py: PyEphem back-calculation with atmospheric refraction
- src/elevation.py: Open-Elevation API batch lookup

Datasets generated:
- data/processed/fajr_angles.csv: 4,105 confirmed Fajr records, 35 locations,
  latitude range -37.8 to 53.7 degrees, date range 1985-2026
- data/processed/isha_angles.csv: 43 confirmed Isha records, 20+ locations

Also includes:
- notebooks/01_exploratory_analysis.ipynb: latitude, TOY, elevation pattern analysis
- research/: academic paper summaries (not training data)
- data/raw/sources.md: full citation table for all data sources
2026-02-25 19:32:47 -05:00

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# Malaysia and Indonesia Studies
## Kassim Bahali et al. 2018 (DSLR Study)
**Paper:** Kassim Bahali, N.F., et al. "Determination of Fajr and Isha prayer times based on
astronomical observation at low latitude." *Sains Malaysia*, 47(11): 2797-2805, 2018.
**Location:** Kuala Lumpur and surrounding Malaysia/Indonesia sites (2°N-7°S range)
**Method:** DSLR astrophotography + SQM (Sky Quality Meter) sky brightness
**Data:** 64 observation days, February-December 2017
**Key result:** Mean Fajr depression = **16.67°** (range 13.9°-19.8°)
The DSLR + SQM combination is methodologically stronger than naked-eye only. The SQM
provides an objective measure of sky brightness that eliminates observer subjectivity.
At near-equatorial latitudes (2°-7°), the Sun rises and sets at a steep angle through the
horizon, producing very short, sharp twilight transitions.
---
## Saksono 2020 (Depok, Indonesia)
**Paper:** Saksono, T. "Fajr prayer time determination using the Sky Quality Meter."
*NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics*, 9(1): 238-244, 2020.
**Location:** Depok, West Java, Indonesia (6.4°S, 106.83°E, 65m)
**Method:** SQM sky brightness monitoring; 26 nights June-July 2015
**Result:** ~16° mean Fajr depression
---
## Hamidi 2007-2008 (Malaysia Isha Study)
**Source:** Zety Sharizat Hamidi, *Determination of Isha prayer time based on shafaq abyad in
Malaysia.* Academia.edu, 2008.
**Location:** Two sites:
- Kuala Lipis: 4.183°N, 102.040°E, 76m (east coast)
- Port Klang: 3.004°N, 101.403°E, 5m (west coast)
**Method:** Naked-eye observation of Shafaq al-Abyad disappearance; May 2007 - April 2008
**Result:** Isha (Shafaq Abyad) consistently at approximately **16°-17°** depression
---
## OIF UMSU (Medan, North Sumatra 2017-2020)
**Location:** OIF (Observatory of Islamic Fajr) at University of Muhammadiyah North Sumatra,
Medan (3.595°N, 98.672°E, 22m)
**Method:** SQM photometry; hundreds of observation days
**Proposed angle:** 16.48° for Indonesian national standard
---
## Key Pattern: Equatorial Sites Yield Higher Angles
All Malaysia/Indonesia studies find Fajr at ~16°-17°, compared to ~13°-14° in Birmingham
and the UK. This is a systematic and significant pattern:
| Latitude | Representative Site | Mean Fajr Angle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 52°N | Birmingham, UK | ~13° |
| 40°N | Ankara, Turkey | ~15° |
| 30°N | Egypt (desert) | ~13.5°-14.5° |
| 27°N | Hail, Saudi Arabia (1020m) | ~14.4° |
| 3°-7°N | Malaysia/Indonesia | ~16°-17° |
| 3°-7°S | Indonesia (Java) | ~16°-17° |
| 33°-37°S | Cape Town / Auckland | ~15°-16° |
This counter-intuitive result (equatorial sites have *higher* angles than mid-latitude sites)
is likely caused by the geometry of the Earth's atmosphere: at equatorial latitudes, the Sun
rises at a steeper angle through the horizon, so morning twilight is briefer and more intense.
The same absolute angle corresponds to a later moment relative to sunrise at lower latitudes.
The ML model should capture this latitude-dependent pattern.