Meet Emirati astrophotographer who linked ancient stories of the stars with UAE heritage
Tamim emphasised the connection between his photography and Emirati heritage. 'Astrophotography allows me to merge stunning celestial images with local landscapes,' he said. 'For instance, I often frame the galaxy with mountains or palm trees, highlighting that these images are uniquely tied to the UAE.'
Tamim began his career as an astrophotographer in 2019, initially sparked by a simple hobby. 'I started out simply as a hobbyist, but my background in astronomy pushed me to take it more seriously,' he told Khaleej Times. 'I began photographing the stars in a more structured way in 2019, starting with a regular camera before moving on to a telescope and more advanced equipment.'
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
When asked about his favourite photograph, he reflected, 'It's difficult to choose just one, but my first image of Jupiter stands out. The details were remarkable and encouraged me to keep going. I also cherish a shot of the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter set against a local backdrop, which was the Burj Khalifa.'
Discussing the growing interest in astronomy in the UAE, he remarked, 'I see a noticeable improvement; the Emirates is evolving into a centre for astronomical studies.' However, he reiterated that accessibility to quality equipment remains an ongoing challenge.
Tamim had some of his shots displayed at Duroor Nights, a unique desert camping experience that celebrated the Duroor system and its profound impact on Emirati life on Saturday, 16 November, at Wadi Modaynah Dam in Ras Al Khaimah. This event was part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and cultural heritage in the UAE.
Tamim highlighted the significant challenges faced by astrophotographers in the region, particularly light pollution. 'Finding suitable locations is tough , and they can be very far. Plus, most of the equipment needs to be imported, which can be a hurdle.'
Despite these obstacles, he is passionate about increasing awareness of astronomy in Arabic. 'Most resources about astronomy are available only in English,' he noted. 'It's my goal to share my findings in Arabic on my social media, providing detailed explanations about the celestial objects I capture and the equipment I use. The current generation must have access to knowledge in their native language. We need more Arabic content to inspire young people in the Arab world.'
The event also acknowledged the work of fellow astrophotographers, such as Yousef Al Qasimi, who captured striking images of recent celestial events. 'These moments resonate with our heritage,' he explained, noting how ancient Emiratis relied on celestial observations to mark seasonal changes.
During the event, Tamim shared tips on how to view the Milky Way in the UAE. 'The best Months to view the Milky Way in the UAE is starting from May till the end of August when the galaxy's arm is visible near the horizon. Finding dark spots away from city lights is crucial for a clear view.'
Through his lens, Tamim Al Tamimi not only captures the beauty of the cosmos but also preserves and promotes the rich astronomical heritage of the UAE, inspiring a new generation to look up and explore the stars.
ALSO READ:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
14 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Museum of Future in Dubai welcomes 4 million visitors
Dubai's Museum of the Future celebrates another remarkable milestone, with more than 4 million visitors from around the globe since its official opening on 22 February 2022. This achievement reinforces the museum's status as one of the world's leading cultural and scientific landmarks, and among the most visited destinations both regionally and globally. This recent milestone comes less than four years after the museum's opening, underscoring its growing appeal as an exceptionally unique destination that blends science fiction, immersive experiences, and visionary foresight within an integrated system of knowledge and culture. The museum truly embodies Dubai's vision and mission to pioneer in foresight future-shaping. The Museum of the Future continues to fulfil its role as a global hub for innovation and future thinking, a unifying platform for changemakers, thought leaders, experts, and a key driver of scientific and technological progress on a global scale. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Museum of the Future, stated that the museum's record number of visitors is a vivid embodiment of the exceptional vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to consolidate Dubai's position as a global hub for the future and a destination that embraces creators, scientists, and innovators from around the world. He added: 'The Museum of the Future embodies the ambition of Dubai to become a global capital for designing and shaping the future; a beacon of hope that brings together optimists and aspirants from all cultures and nationalities. The museum is not merely an architectural monument, it is a platform for empowerment and capacity-building, aiming to ignite the spark of inspiration in those who aspire to shape the future by posing big questions and anticipating possible answers.' Al Gergawi added: "The Museum of the Future is a vibrant centre for knowledge and thought, striving to enhance cultural and intellectual exchange and to revive the civilisational role of the Arab region in shaping the future of humanity. The museum will continue to make impactful contributions in supporting Dubai's and the UAE's future strategies across various fields, whether through its dialogue platforms, knowledge programs, or global partnerships with prestigious institutions and research centres.' 'We believe that the future is not something to be waited for but rather created. From this perspective, the Museum of the Future embraces the culture of future foresight that has transformed the UAE into one of the world's most advanced countries in less than fifty years. Like our city Dubai, the museum will remain a symbol of tolerance, coexistence, openness, creativity, and innovation, attracting diverse cultural, philosophical and social perspectives to establish a future rooted in the values of the UAE and the Arab world, and inspired by the journey of humanity,' Al Gergawi concluded. Located in the heart of Dubai, the Museum of the Future is a prominent destination for government officials, decision-makers, experts, intellectuals and hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It serves as a global platform for converging visions and ideas as well as a permanent platform for dialogue around the challenges and opportunities facing the future of humanity. Since its opening, the museum has hosted 423 events, conferences, forums, and seminars, covering diverse topics such as AI, sustainable cities, and the future of education, health, economy, work, and technology. These events have also addressed the arts and numerous other fields, all with a focus on placing humanity's well-being at the forefront. The Museum of the Future has firmly established itself as one of Dubai's leading cultural landmarks and a top destination for visitors from around the world. It has also become a key destination for leaders, officials and dignitaries during their visits to the UAE. Over the past year alone, the museum has welcomed a number of international dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the Vice President of Tanzania, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, and the former President of the Republic of Liberia. The museum's guests included Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar; Félix Ulloa, Vice President of the Republic of El Salvador; Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and Željka Cvijanović, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Museum of the Future also welcomed 610 international media delegations, who covered its wide range of activations, experiences and events, highlighting its key role in shaping conversations about the future. It also drew visitors from over 180 nationalities, reinforcing its role as a cultural and interactive bridge between people from around the world. Throughout the year, the Museum of the Future continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic platform, hosting a diverse range of unique events and initiatives that explore future challenges from scientific, humanitarian, and technological perspectives. The Dubai Future Forum is one of the most prominent of these initiatives, as it is the largest global gathering of futurists. It has hosted more than 3650 experts from over 100 states, acting as a platform for exchanging visions on the future paths of some of the most vital sectors. The Museum of the Future hosts dozens of conferences, events, and global gatherings annually, including prominent activities as part of the 'Dubai AI Week,' which took place last April under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation Board of Trustees. The event welcomed more than 30,000 participants and experts from around the world, as well as the largest global technology companies and the most promising startups. The 2025 edition of 'Dubai AI Week,' organised by the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence, is an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation. It included 10 major events across the city, more than 250 panel discussions and workshops and witnessed the launch of over 30 initiatives, partnerships and agreements between government entities, the private sector, investors and startups. The Museum of the Future has launched a series of intellectual lectures, titled 'Lessons from the Past at the Museum of the Future'. As part of this series and throughout 2025, the world-renowned historian and researcher, Dr. Roy Casagranda, has been delivering lectures, drawing on his extensive expertise in the history of civilisations and his unique ability to present past stories and experiences in an inspiring way. This initiative aligns with the museum's commitment to strengthening its role as a platform for intellectual innovation, sustainable learning, and future foresight. The new program, which includes over 10 exclusive lectures, aims to explore key milestones in history in an interactive manner that highlights aspects that can be utilised and invested in effectively. Both the 'Future Talks' and 'Future Experts' series play a central role in the museum's annual agenda. Held regularly, these sessions tackle cutting-edge topics such as AI, sustainability, education, the arts, and the economy, featuring a select group of international thinkers, decision-makers, and experts. In a unique intellectual and cultural setting, the Museum hosts the 'Ramadan Majlis', bringing together a distinguished group of experts and thinkers for discussions that explore the role of values in shaping the future. These discussions focus on how ethical principles can guide the development of modern technologies, with the aim of fostering a more humane and responsible future. The Museum is committed to empowering younger generations with future readiness skills through programs like the annual 'Future Heroes Summer Camp.' This initiative offers children and young adults a unique chance to explore the future through hands-on workshops and immersive experiences, equipping them with the creativity and knowledge to navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. The museum also hosts a series of workshops around future-focused careers that keep pace with the latest professional trends. These workshops focus on specialised sectors such as agri-tech, vertical farming, and careers in sustainability, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the skills required in an ever-changing world. The museum's hosting of the international Gaming Matters event marked a milestone in exploring the future of the video games industry. It brought together leading global companies such as Epic Games and Walt Disney, along with experts and designers from the esports sector, to exchange insights on future trends in this rapidly growing field. The Museum of the Future reflects Dubai's ambitious spirit, where creativity and innovation know no bounds. It represents the confluence of the past, present, and future in an exceptional architectural landmark designed to reflect human progress and serve as an open platform for imagination, experience and discovery. With over 4 million visitors, the museum proves that it's not just a unique architectural icon but also a vibrant space for engaging with and shaping the future, within an inspiring environment that celebrates the human mind and its capacity for imagination and change.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi observatory captures image of interstellar object
31 July 2025 11:15 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)An Abu Dhabi-based astronomy centre has tracked an extraordinary comet hurtling through our solar system at an astonishing speed of 221,000 kilometres per hour—marking a rare interstellar visitor from Astronomical Observatory, located in the Abu Dhabi desert, captured images of the comet on the evening of July 3, according to Eng. Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center. Speaking to Aletihad, he confirmed that this makes the observatory the first Arab facility to conduct scientific observations of this celestial comet was initially discovered by NASA on July 1, using the ATLAS survey system and its telescope in Chile. Originally designated 'A11pl3Z,' it was later named 'C/2025 N1 (ATLAS)' and has now been formally classified as '3I/ATLAS'. The prefix '3I' signifies its distinction as only the third known interstellar object — meaning it originated outside our solar system. The first, 'Oumuamua', was detected in 2017, followed by 2I/Borisov in Odeh noted that the comet, currently located 670 million kilometres from the Sun, is travelling at a velocity too great to be gravitationally bound to our solar system. 'Experts were able to determine that it originated outside the solar system due to its extreme speed and its open trajectory, as it does not orbit the Sun,' he the comet was technically demanding due to its faint brightness, with a current visual magnitude of 17.5. It is only visible through large telescopes. Despite this, the observatory team succeeded in capturing 45 images during a 45-minute observation window. 'The team observed the comet moving among the stars at high speed,' Eng. Odeh said, adding that the object is in the yellow box in the captured image displayed from the Abu Dhabi observatory has been submitted to the Minor Planet Center (MPC) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), further marking the region's growing role in global space Odeh said the comet will make its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, at a distance of 210 million kilometres. It poses no danger to Earth, with its nearest approach to our planet expected to be 240 million kilometres confirmed that the comet was first detected coming from direction of the Sagittarius constellation, home to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. According to a NASA statement, '3I/ATLAS should remain visible to ground-based telescopes through September, after which it will pass too close to the Sun to observe. It is expected to reappear on the other side of the Sun by early December, allowing for renewed observations.'Astronomers around the world are now racing to better understand its physical properties. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said the visible fuzziness of the object suggests it is made mostly of ice, not Moissl, head of planetary defence at the European Space Agency, confirmed its trajectory 'means it's not orbiting our star, but coming from interstellar space and flying off to there again.' He added that it is currently estimated to be 10 to 20 kilometres wide, potentially making it the largest interstellar object ever Harvard astronomer and alien technology theorist Avi Loeb has floated the idea that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien probe sent to us by an intelligent civilisation. He also suggested that we could use an existing spacecraft to intercept the object's path to understand its nature. In a paper, the researcher argued that NASA's Juno spacecraft, which was designed to study Jupiter and launched in 2011, could get close to 3I/ATLAS by March 14, 2026. But NASA is yet to deliver its opinion on the feasibility of this idea.
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Early smartphone use tied to mental health issues in kids as young as 8, study finds
A new international study has found that children who use a smartphone before they turn 13 could face several mental health issues. Local experts say the findings of the study are 'deeply troubling' and reflects what they are increasingly seeing in clinics and classrooms. 'It shows a strong link between early smartphone ownership and poorer mental health outcomes in young adulthood including suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and reduced self-esteem,' said Sreevidhya Srinivas, clinical psychologist for children and adolescents at Medcare Camali Clinic. A study by Sapien Labs, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that the earlier a child acquires a smartphone before the age of 13, the more likely they are to experience lower mental health and wellbeing in young adulthood — a trend clinical psychologist Srinivas called 'particularly concerning.' The researchers have now urged global restrictions on smartphone and social media use for children under 13. 'We are seeing a generation that is growing up overstimulated, overwhelmed, and constantly exposed to unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and belonging,' observed Dr Teizeem Dhanji, medical director, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sage Clinics. 'A local awareness campaign highlighted that around 84 per cent of Emirati students spend over seven hours daily on devices, relating to aggression, ADHD‑like behaviour, emotional numbness, and loneliness," Dr Teizeem added. Mental health issues at a young age According to Sreevidhya, local doctors are seeing 'a growing number' of preteens with issues which may be linked to excessive screen usage. 'We have children as young as 8 or 9 showing signs of anxiety, mood instability, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal,' she said. 'Many of these symptoms appear closely linked to excessive screen time and early exposure to social media.' Dr Alison Burrows, senior lecturer at Middlesex University Dubai, noted that the risks may be heightened in the UAE due to early exposure to tech. 'In Dubai, where early device ownership is high and children are often exposed to adult-level tech environments from a young age, the stakes may even be higher,' she said. 'But let's be really clear, this isn't about demonising technology but recognizing that children need age-appropriate guardrails and guidance when it comes to smartphone use," she added. She added that many parents feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with fast-evolving apps and digital platforms, making it difficult to implement effective parental controls or content filters. 'Families face peer pressure, fear of missing out, and difficulty monitoring online behavior because apps evolve fast and parents often don't know how to set up their kids' devices and integrate filters, content blockers, or parental controls,' she explained. Shift in playtime For Shifa Yusuff Ali, CEO of children's edutainment company IdeaCrate, the impact of smartphones is especially visible in how playtime has evolved. "Over the last decade, I've seen tablets become a go-to for instant entertainment both at home and on the go,' she said. 'While unstructured play hasn't disappeared, screens can make it feel 'easier' for children to settle into passive activities.' At Orange Wheels — the company's play area — parents often arrive seeking out a screen-free environment. 'Many share how the constant negotiations over 'just five more minutes' of screen time have become a source of stress,' she said. 'Many parents come to me expressing a blend of worry and frustration: they see their children's attention spans shrinking, bedtime routines disrupted by overstimulation, and meltdowns tied directly to screen withdrawal. They confess concerns about posture, eyesight, and a sedentary lifestyle, all while feeling guilty when screens become the easy babysitter," she further noted. Dr Teizeem added that increased use of smartphones have replaced 'real social interactions and connections', while also causing 'lack of creative play in children, an inability to shut down or sleep well, and a significant impact on family relationships or behavioural issues.' The role of tech firms As discussions about screentime increases globally, some tech companies are beginning to take action. 'We believe that smartphones, like any tool, require responsible use, especially among young users,' said Dr Hamza Mohammad, Middle East PR manager at Vivo. "That's why we invest heavily in digital wellbeing features, parental control tools, and education campaigns to encourage healthier screen habits.' Acknowledging that screen addiction is a 'real challenge,' he emphasised the need for a shared responsibility between tech companies and governments to address the issue effectively. 'We welcome thoughtful regulation that protects users especially the younger generation, but we also believe the industry must lead with responsibility. 'Ultimately, a collaborative effort between governments, tech companies, educators, and families is the most effective way to ensure technology benefits future generations," he said.
