One of the most challenging and demanding observational and photographical projects one may undertake involves the new moon or, to be more specific, the very thin and young crescent immediately after the new moon. Such a project also has religious ramifications, for certain religions and cultures place a heavy emphasis on the citing of the new moon whereby it determines the start of the new (lunar) month which begins the following day and, in some instances, also establishes the end of holidays (ex. Ramadan).

The record for sighting the very young crescent moon with the aid of optics such as binoculars or a telescope is under 12 hours (see here) whereas the record for a sighting without any optical aid(s) is 14.5 to 15.5 hours (see here and here). Perhaps the best time to attempt such an exercise is during spring when both the sun and moon traverse the ecliptic in a nearly perpendicular manner relative to the horizon, thus allowing for the maximum possible elongation between them near sunset when the sun slowly begins to dip below the horizon and the young crescent moon is still above it in the western (or northwestern) sky. This hunt is further aided if the moon is around perigee. For two excellent online articles, the interested reader is referred to the Sky&Telescope website here and here.

Note: The altitude of the moon below was a mere 3.6° degrees above the northeastern sky - the sun was 8.7° below the horizon - and was still visible over 40 minutes after first-sighting with the aid of a telescope and with the sun less than 2.5° above the horizon. The crescent moon was initially located using 10x50 binoculars relatively easy and which helped in the proper placement of the telescope thereafter. With a new moon predicted for July 25 at 07:32 UT+3, the image below represents the moon's phase 25 hours and 58 minutes before new moon. Focusing was aided by the very brilliant Venus immediately to the northeast of the rising moon.