ISLANDERS are being asked to take part in a worldwide project to refine the lunar calendar.

By combining contemporary science and human observation, scientists and astronomers are hoping to produce data as accurate as possible to predict the movement of the moon in the sky.

This information is used in diaries, calendars and almanacs, by the armed forces, the police, newspapers, outdoor events organisers and historians.

The lunar cycle also carries great importance for faiths, such as Islam, Judaism, and the Christian churches which use the lunar calendar to determine the date of festivals such Ramadan, Passover and Easter respectively.

Weather conditions A special website has been set up by the UK Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) for people to record their first sighting of the new crescent moon immediately after sunset on the first three days after the new moon appears.