The sun moves at different rate from moon. Hence, in a month the sun " meets the moon".

This
meeting is called conjunction and marks the start of Islamic month.
Observation of new moon is based upon two things, calculation of moon's position as seen from observers
location and the probability of appearance.
The position of moon can be calculated, observed or found by nautical almanac.
The calculation is based upon complex algorithms, while observation is easier.
First, geographic north is found either with a compass or maximum height of sun. then two sticks are placed
towards the north south line. When the moon is sighted from the sticks ( towards north or south, depending
upon declination), the time is noted.
Then declination is calculated by the formula 90-height of moon+latitude ( given the declination is of same
name ).
After an hour has passed, the height of moon is observed again. As sine of height equals the sine of latitude
times sine of declination added or subtracted from cos of declination times cos of latitude times cos of local
hour angle, by rearranging the equation local hour angle can be found. Local hour angle can also be found
by scale and compass, although with low precision. The local hour angle is then used to calculate the speed
of moon, which is around 14.5 degrees in one hour. For higher accuracy, the procedure of finding lha after
an hour can be repeated several times and mean obtained.
Using the speed of moon, a table is created, supplying the lha of moon for many days. This table is then
matched with actual sightings to remove errors. The same table is created for sun.
The angle between moon and sun is called the inclination of arc of light of moon, or simply the lunar
Distance. LD can be either observed with special equipment, or calculated from complex geometrical
algorithms. Inclination can also be found by simple geometrical constructions, with low precision.
For lunar Distance, the height and LHA of both the sun and moon is required. The height can either be
observed or calculated, while LHA can be found using the table created before. The lunar Distance
calculated or observed is noted along with the time. Then, another lunar Distance is calculated or observed
after an hour. The procedure is repeated as many times as one may desire. Then the average change of LD is
obtained.
Say that LD was 45 degrees. The change was .5 degrees per hour. How much time will it take the sun to
catch up with the moon ? Using simple math, the answer can be obtained. From the Time of observation, it
will take 90 hours for conjunction of moon and sun.
The new moon would be visible at least when the LD becomes 7.5 degrees again. This 7.5 is called critical
inclination at which the visibility is very difficult, but physically possible. The moon at critical inclination is
only visible with high powerd telescope. The greater the LD the easier it is to be visible.
As we calculated the time of conjunction, we calculate the time of inclination. For a telescope, the answer,
using unitary method comes to be 15 hours in average. For naked eye, at least a period of 20 hours should
pass before the inclination is such that the moon comes out of sun's bright light. This time passed is called
the age of moon.
The time of conjunction and age of moon gives us hints as to the visibility.
If conjunction happens at maghrib then the moon will not be visible as the critical visibility is at least 7.5
degrees, which equates to approximately to 15 hours. If the conjunction happens 15 hours before maghrib
then it may be visible.
It should be noted that the sighting of moon physically is an obligation for decisions. One should not rely on
calculation alone. The moon sighting is also a good deed according to Hadith.
The second part of royat e qamar is concerned with the exact location at the time of sighting. This is done by
calculating the azimuth and height at the time corresponding to the best inclination. This gives us the exact
elevation and direction to place the telescope.
As the moon is very close to earth, it's light reaches us in a flood light fashion. This creates a parallex and
must be corrected for the error in hight.
Another error to take into account is regarding the refraction. As the light enters from the sky into the
atmosphere of earth, it bends, creating a feeling that the star was higher than it actually was. This is again set
right by applying a correction factor.
The moon rises and sets according to phases. Full moon rises at sunset. Then it rises approximately 50
minutes early each day. As the time of new moon approaches, it rises very close to the rise of sun, and sets
very close to settings of sun. This gives us a very little window for observation. Hence, the time of moon set
is also calculated. If the inclination between the sunset and moonset is good enough, the moon will be
visible.
The new moon will normally be visible close to horizon just before it sets. This gives us an additional
problem because the lower hight increases refraction.This refraction is affected by density, which depends
upon pressure and temperature. Hence, for lower altitude, two additional corrections are substituted.
On the ground, the light pollution causes difficulty in viewing the moon. Hence, building tops are used for
royat e hilaal, such as habib bank in Karachi.
The higher we go the lower the horizon appears, increasing the distance between star and horizon. For this, a
dip correction is required for altitude of moon. Another way would be to utilize gravity horizon instead of
actual horizon.
For approximations, we do not need all these corrections and calculation. Averages suffice. For example,
averaging the change of LD to .5 an hour.