Celestial spectacles to light up UAE sky this summer; here's a guide
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
For those who love stargazing and just soaking up grandeur of the cosmos, this summer promises a visual feast, with celestial spectacles set to light up the sky from June through early September, experts told Aletihad .
Astronomy is more than a scientific pursuit — it is a cultural, personal experience, the team at Al Sadeem Observatory said in an interview with Aletihad . 'Staying engaged with astronomy during the UAE summer is important because it offers a chance to witness spectacular celestial events, including the core of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is visible only during these months,' they said. The astronomical calendar may be packed this season, but the experts said stargazers must be wary of some weather factors that could affect visibility. 'High temperatures often lead to increased humidity and atmospheric turbulence, which can blur or distort the view of celestial objects. In regions like the UAE, dust and haze from desert winds are common in summer and can scatter light, reducing contrast in the night sky.'Clear, dry nights are still possible, they noted; hence, 'planning observations after windy or humid days should be done carefully.'Here are the major upcoming astronomical events to watch for:
JuneThis month features two Moon-Mars conjunctions (June 1 and 30), a full moon on the 11th, and the June Solstice on the 21st. On June 22-23, stargazers will be able to catch a pre-dawn conjunction of the crescent moon, Venus and Pleiades. On June 25, the new moon will be perfect for Milky Way watching; and then, the Bootid meteor shower arrives on the 27th.
July A full moon will be visible on July 11, and the moon links with Saturn on the 16th. A pre-dawn trio — Moon, Venus, and Jupiter — will light up the sky on July 21–22. Meteor showers will peak towards the end of July: Pisces (28–29) and Alpha Capricornids & Delta Aquarids (30–31).The new moon on the 24th will offer clear skies for deep-sky objects.Explaining the impact of lunar phases on stargazing, the Al Sadeem Observatory team said: 'During full moon nights, the moon's brightness significantly illuminates the sky, making it difficult to observe faint celestial objects. In contrast, new moon nights offer the best conditions for stargazing.'
AugustA full moon will be up on August 9, and from 12th to 25th, there will be a morning planet parade (Mercury through Neptune). The Perseid meteor shower will be at their peak from August 12 to 13.The k-Cygnids will be visible on the 18th, followed by a Venus-Jupiter-Moon alignment on the August 19–20.A new moon on August 23 signals an ideal night for stargazing. On the dawn of August 27–28, the Suhail star may be observable.
September On September 7, a full lunar eclipse will be totally visible from the UAE.
Stargazing Tips In the region, studying the stars is deeply rooted in tradition, the team at Al Sadeem Observatory said. 'People have long looked to the skies not just for science, but also for guidance and seasonal awareness.'Spotting the Suhail star, for example, has traditionally marked the end of summer and the beginning of cooler weather, the team said. When looking at the sky, it pays to remember that bright planets often look like stars, the experts said. 'Planets often appear in the night sky as bright dots and can be easily mistaken for stars. To distinguish them, sky map applications like Stellarium or Sky Map can be very helpful.'For the best skywatching experience, choose dark, open locations and allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, the experts said. They also highlighted the unpredictability of meteor showers, 'Meteor showers are spontaneous celestial events—while they peak on specific nights, the timing and brightness of individual meteors are unpredictable.'
The sky is full of wonders, Al Sadeem Astronomy said. 'Everyone should have the chance to experience them at least once — both as humans and as passionate sky lovers.'
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