Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies
The latest incident on July 1 left locals searching for an explanation for the 'rare and unfamiliar scene,' Saudi Press Agency reported.
Majed Abu Zahrah, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, told SPA that a similar occurrence was recorded on May 13.
'According to the captured images, the spot was clearly illuminated against the dark blue sky … with no accompanying sound or noticeable changes in shape before it began to gradually fade after a few minutes,' he said.
While no official scientific confirmation has yet been issued, Abu Zahrah offered one possible explanation, saying: 'This phenomenon could result from vapors of barium, strontium, and ionized oxygen released at high altitudes to study the upper layers of the atmosphere (the ionosphere).'
For science and astronomy enthusiasts around the Kingdom, he further speculated: 'In such experiments, the released vapors glow due to the reflection of residual sunlight after sunset at altitudes exceeding 100 km, forming luminous spots in pink, blue, or green, whose shapes are altered by upper atmospheric winds.'
Abu Zahrah said that the spot also may have resulted from debris in the upper atmosphere, such as remnants of a rocket burn or satellite fragments, along with clouds of gases such as helium or hydrogen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
8 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Astronomers Track Object That May Have Originated Outside the Solar System
Astronomers are monitoring an object headed our way that may have wandered over from another star system. Scientists have discovered what might be only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the European Space Agency said Wednesday. The harmless object is currently near Jupiter, hundreds of millions of miles (kilometers) away, and moving toward Mars, but it should get no closer to the sun than that, according to scientists. It's too soon to know whether the object–designated for now as A11pl3Z–is a rocky asteroid or an icy comet, or how big and what shape it is. More observations are needed to confirm its origins. NASA said it is monitoring the situation. Astrophysicist Josep Trigo-Rodriguez of the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, believes it is an interstellar object based on its odd path and extreme speed cutting through the solar system. He estimates its size at roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) across. The first confirmed interstellar visitor was in 2017. It was dubbed 'Oumuamua,' Hawaiian for 'scout,' in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated 'Oumuamua' has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own is 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019 and believed to be a comet.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies
JEDDAH: Residents in Saudi Arabia's northwest have been puzzled by the appearance of what some described as a 'bright pink circular spot' in the evening sky — with the phenomenon occurring twice in recent weeks. The latest incident on July 1 left locals searching for an explanation for the 'rare and unfamiliar scene,' Saudi Press Agency reported. Majed Abu Zahrah, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, told SPA that a similar occurrence was recorded on May 13. 'According to the captured images, the spot was clearly illuminated against the dark blue sky … with no accompanying sound or noticeable changes in shape before it began to gradually fade after a few minutes,' he said. While no official scientific confirmation has yet been issued, Abu Zahrah offered one possible explanation, saying: 'This phenomenon could result from vapors of barium, strontium, and ionized oxygen released at high altitudes to study the upper layers of the atmosphere (the ionosphere).' For science and astronomy enthusiasts around the Kingdom, he further speculated: 'In such experiments, the released vapors glow due to the reflection of residual sunlight after sunset at altitudes exceeding 100 km, forming luminous spots in pink, blue, or green, whose shapes are altered by upper atmospheric winds.' Abu Zahrah said that the spot also may have resulted from debris in the upper atmosphere, such as remnants of a rocket burn or satellite fragments, along with clouds of gases such as helium or hydrogen.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Rare desert plant highlights AlUla's ecology
RIYADH: The desert shaggy mane, Podaxis pistillaris, appears after rainfall in AlUla governorate, rapidly growing in a mushroom-like form. Thriving in sandy and clay environments, this fungus holds cultural significance for its unique appearance and the flavor it adds to traditional dishes, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The desert shaggy mane indicates AlUla's ecological balance and rich plant diversity. It reflects the connection between local communities and their environment, highlighting the importance of sustainable resource use. The Royal Commission for AlUla is committed to preserving this natural heritage by documenting local resources, promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring the survival of rare plant species. As part of AlUla's botanical ecosystem, the desert shaggy mane is valued for its ecological, nutritional and cultural importance, representing the region's longstanding relationship between humans and nature.
