Support Hilal Vision
صدقة جارية — Ongoing charity: supporting knowledge that benefits the Ummah
Last updated: March 2026
Overview
Hilal Vision is a free-to-access precision astronomy platform serving 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Maintaining real-time ephemeris computations, global cloud-cover data, a historical observation archive, and multi-language support requires ongoing infrastructure investment.
Your support — through a Pro subscription or a one-time contribution — directly funds:
- Server infrastructure: Vercel edge hosting, PostgreSQL database, and high-frequency API calls
- Data services: Open-Meteo weather API, ephemeris computation, and ICOP archive hosting
- Development: New features, accuracy improvements, and ongoing platform maintenance
- Accessibility: Keeping the platform free, ad-free, and available in 8 languages for communities worldwide
In Islamic tradition, supporting beneficial knowledge is considered صدقة جارية (sadaqah jāriyah) — ongoing charity whose benefit continues after the act. We are grateful for every form of support.
Free vs. Pro Features
Every Hilal Vision feature is visible from the first day — Pro unlocks deeper interaction, higher data resolution, and advanced analytical tools.
| Feature | 🟢 Free | ⭐ Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Global Visibility Map | Standard (4°) & Low (6°) | High-Resolution (2°) |
| 3D Interactive Globe | Blurred preview | Full interactive |
| Live Cloud Cover Overlay | — | ✓ |
| Atmospheric Overrides (T, P) | — | ✓ |
| Best-Time-to-Observe Engine | — | ✓ |
| Moon Phase Dashboard | Basic | Extended metrics |
| Sun & Moon Altitude Chart | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sky Dome View | — | ✓ |
| Hijri Calendar (Umm al-Qura) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hijri Calendar (Astronomical + Tabular) | — | ✓ |
| ICOP Archive (Current Year Only) | ✓ | ✓ |
| ICOP Archive (Historical 28 years) | — | ✓ |
| Local Horizon View | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sighting Reports (Submit) | ✓ | ✓ + Patron badge |
| Push Notifications (Hilal alerts) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ad-Free Experience | Ethical ads | Fully ad-free |
| Data Export (CSV / JSON) | — | ✓ |
| API Access | Public (rate-limited) | Pro rate limit |
Subscription Plans
Monthly — Try Pro without commitment
Billed monthly, cancel anytime.
Annual — Best recurring value
Equivalent to ~58% savings over monthly billing. Billed once per year.
Lifetime — Astronomer's Plan
One-time payment. Unlocks Pro forever, across all platforms (web + mobile app). Includes all future features.
Pricing is available in-app and adapts to your region's currency. All transactions are processed securely via Stripe (web) or App Store / Google Play (mobile).
One-Time Donation (Sadaqah)
Not ready for a subscription? A one-time donation in any amount helps cover operating costs and keeps Hilal Vision free and accessible for the global Muslim community.
Donors of $10 or more receive a Golden Crescent (🌟) patron badge displayed on their sighting reports, honouring their contribution to the platform.
All donations are processed securely via Stripe with end-to-end encryption. No payment details are stored by Hilal Vision.
جزاك الله خيراً — May Allah reward you with goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 3D globe blurred for free users?
The 3D WebGL globe is computationally demanding to render and maintain. It represents the most sophisticated tool on the platform. Pro access helps us sustain this feature.
Can I use Hilal Vision data for my masjid or community?
Yes. The visibility predictions and calendar data are available for community use. We ask that you attribute Hilal Vision and link back to moonsighting.live. For systematic/bulk use, please use the API with proper attribution.
Do you offer discounts for educational institutions or non-profits?
We are working on an educational tier. Get in touch via the Contact page to discuss your institution's needs.
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
Your account and all associated sighting reports are retained. You revert to the free tier. No historical data is deleted.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. Hilal Vision does not store any payment card information. All payments are processed by Stripe (PCI DSS Level 1 compliant) or the platform's native app billing system. We receive only a transaction confirmation.
How do I get a refund?
If you subscribed within the last 7 days and have not used any Pro features, submit a refund request via the Contact page. For App Store / Google Play purchases, refunds are handled by Apple/Google directly.
I found a bug or data error. How do I report it?
Please submit a report via the Contact page including:
- The page/feature where you encountered the issue
- Your location (city, country)
- The date in question
- A description of what you expected vs. what you saw
For calculation discrepancies, please check the Methodology page first — many apparent errors result from using geocentric vs. topocentric coordinates or forgetting that the global map represents composite sunsets, not a simultaneous snapshot.
Why Support Matters — The Cost of Precision Astronomy at Scale
Running Hilal Vision involves real infrastructure costs that scale with usage:
| Cost Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Ephemeris computation | ~14,400 VSOP87 computations per global map render at 2° resolution |
| Weather API | Open-Meteo cloud cover calls per map view (up to 14,400 points) |
| Database | PostgreSQL hosting for ICOP archive (1,000+ records) + user data |
| Edge hosting | Vercel global CDN for <100ms page loads worldwide |
| CDN + bandwidth | 3D globe tile delivery, multilingual assets (8 languages) |
| Authentication | Clerk managed auth service |
Hilal Vision intentionally refuses intrusive advertising and data-broker partnerships. Your subscription replaces that revenue model with one aligned with Islamic principles of honest, beneficial exchange.
Contact
- Contact page: moonsighting.live/contact
- Email: support@moonsighting.live
- Response time: We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.
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