Latest news with #InternationalAstronomyCentre
Dubai Eye
11-06-2025
- Science
- Dubai Eye
UAE astronomers detect exoplanets orbiting distant stars
Astronomers in the UAE have detected exoplanets orbiting stars far beyond the solar system, the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre announced. Al Khatem Astronomical Observatory, located deep in the Abu Dhabi desert, worked in partnership with the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. The astronmers analysed subtle changes in the brightness of stars to detect the transit of planets in front of them - a technique used to discover exoplanets. Eng. Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the International Astronomy Center, said the detection of these planets is based on preliminary data provided by the TESS telescope, and is being verified on Earth through a global network of specialised observatories. Eng. Mohammed Shawkat Awda, Director of the International Astronomy Center, said that the Al Khatim Observatory officially joined the TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOP) program in June 2024, after completing a rigorous training program conducted by international experts, followed by a successful practical test to observe one of the candidate planets. He explained that since joining, it has conducted a series of nighttime observations, each lasting between four and seven hours, focusing on 12 stars suspected of having planets. He noted that using its main telescope, it was able to transform the status of 10 of these stars from "candidate planets" to "confirmed planets," an achievement that demonstrates the precision of the observatory's research. Official documents from the Global Programme indicate that the Khatem Observatory achieved these results independently, reflecting the efficiency of its equipment and the accuracy of the observations it provides, especially in light of the environmental challenges facing ground-based observations. Awda emphasised that this contribution represents an important scientific step for the UAE in the field of space exploration, placing it in a leading position in the search for planets that may be habitable, or providing new insights into the formation and evolution of planets in distant galaxies.
TAG 91.1
11-06-2025
- Science
- TAG 91.1
UAE astronomers detect exoplanets orbiting distant stars
UAE astronomers have reportedly detected the existence of exoplanets orbiting stars far beyond our solar system, the Abu-Dhabi based International Astronomy Centre announced. Al Khatem Astronomical Observatory, located deep in the Abu Dhabi desert, analysed subtle changed in the brightness of stars to detect the transit of planets in front of them - a technique used to discover exoplanets - in cooperation with the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. His Excellency Eng. Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the International Astronomy Center, said the detection of these planets is based on preliminary data provided by the TESS telescope, and is being verified on Earth through a global network of specialised observatories. Eng. Mohammed Shawkat Awda, Director of the International Astronomy Center, said that the Al Khatim Observatory officially joined the TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOP) program in June 2024, after completing a rigorous training program conducted by international experts, followed by a successful practical test to observe one of the candidate planets. He explained that since joining, it has conducted a series of nighttime observations, each lasting between four and seven hours, focusing on 12 stars suspected of having planets. He noted that using its main telescope, it was able to transform the status of 10 of these stars from "candidate planets" to "confirmed planets," an achievement that demonstrates the precision of the observatory's research. Official documents from the Global Programme indicate that the Khatem Observatory achieved these results independently, reflecting the efficiency of its equipment and the accuracy of the observations it provides, especially in light of the environmental challenges facing ground-based observations. Awda emphasized that this contribution represents an important scientific step for the UAE in the field of space exploration, placing it in a leading position in the search for planets that may be habitable, or providing new insights into the formation and evolution of planets in distant galaxies.
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
Look: Stunning Milky Way spectacle lights up UAE's darkest spot
17 Apr 2025 00:57 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)In the heart of Abu Dhabi's desert, there's a spot so dark that the night sky comes alive — offering a clear, breathtaking view of the galaxy to those who are willing to wait. Expat Ralph Emerson De Peralta is among them, a patient stargazer and astrophotographer who camps out at one of the darkest places in the UAE to get a magical shot of the cosmos. His latest work captured an unusual celestial view: the Milky Way in two arches. To the uninitiated, the stunning photo seemingly shows two separate Milky Ways — but how can there be two when there's only one Milky Way, the galaxy that houses our solar system?Explaining the 'mystery' and why he considers the photo a bucket-list shot, De Peralta said this is the view of the Milky Way's winter and summer arches, captured in a time-lapse panorama. He drove to Abu Dhabi's Al Quaa Desert — one of the darkest accessible spots in the country — in early April, hoping to catch the dual-arch Milky Way. He had to wait at least six hours. 'This is by far the most challenging time-blended landscape astrophotography image I've ever captured and edited. It's not for the impatient, you need endurance and patience to pull this off,' he told Aletihad . He took the shot from a single tripod location with a six-hour interval between capturing the winter and summer arches. He used a star tracker to snap the winter arch at 9pm and waited until 3am to click the summer side. 'This vision had been in my mind for weeks, and I finally made it a reality,' he said. The Science Behind the ViewEng. Ibrahim Ghonaimat of the International Astronomy Centre confirmed that the photo shows 'two distinct sections of the Milky Way, photographed from the same location, but at different times of night'.'They form two opposing arcs in the sky, which — when captured on the same night — create a panoramic blend of both the feint and bright halves of the Milky Way.'March to early April is 'a sweet spot' in the Earth's orbital position, he said. 'The winter Milky Way (October-April) is still just visible after sunset, while the summer Milky Way (March-September) core rises just before dawn.'For those who wish to replicate the shot, however, it's a bit too late now, the expert said. 'After April 10–12, your chances rapidly decline due to seasonal transition and shorter nights,' he said. Year-round Mission For astrophotographers like De Peralta, any day could be a good day to capture the skies - and whenever he can, he heads to the desert, usually with other photographers who share the same passion for chasing the Milky Way. 'But sometimes, I go alone into the Abu Dhabi desert to take photos of the night sky. There's nothing more inspiring than photographing the Milky Way, it's my way of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life,' said the expat, who works as a civil engineer and has been living in Abu Dhabi for 19 years. 'Standing under the stars, I feel a quiet connection between us and the universe, a reminder that we are small, yet our dreams have no limits,' he said. Among his other stunning photos show star trails in circles, which were captured during the Eid Al Etihad holiday in 2024, and the Perseid meteor shower in August may be personal to hobbyists like De Peralta, but for astronomy, such photos have both artistic and scientific value. 'They sit at the intersection of science and art. It's storytelling with stars. Visual poetry. You're combining two time periods into one image, so it's not a literal representation of the sky,' Ghonaimat said.'To an extent, it can be scientific. Such images demonstrate spatial orientation of the galaxy, help educate about seasonal visibility, and are used in outreach, astronomy presentations, and planetarium projections,' he added. However, for raw scientific data analysis, astronomers rely on precise, timestamped, unblended images, the expert clarified. 'So these panoramas are not scientific data, but they inspire science — and that's just as valuable.'
Saudi Gazette
29-03-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Eid Al-Fitr to be celebrated on March 31 in Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, and Australia
DHAKA — A number of countries have officially announced that Eid Al-Fitr will fall on Monday, March 31, 2025, as the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Saturday evening. Authorities in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia confirmed the date based on astronomical data and local moon sighting efforts. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee stated that the crescent moon was not sighted, making Sunday the 30th day of Ramadan. Indonesia also declared Monday as the first day of Eid after failing to observe the Shawwal crescent. India, where today marks the 28th of Ramadan, expects the moon to be visible on Sunday, thereby celebrating Eid on Monday. Malaysia's International Astronomy Centre (IAC) confirmed that the crescent will be visible to the naked eye on Sunday, placing Eid on March followed suit, with the IAC also confirming that the moon will be visible there on Australian Fatwa Council declared Eid Al-Fitr on March 31 as well, noting that the Shawwal moon will be born after sunset on Saturday in both eastern and western parts of the countries are expected to make official announcements as moon-sighting efforts continue across different regions. — Agencies
Khaleej Times
28-03-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Satellite debris spotted in Saudi sky; no risk posed, say astronomers
On March 27, the debris of a satellite was seen in the Saudi skies, captured by Khaled Al-Baridi from the Al-Bukayriyah region in Al-Qassim, according to the International Astronomy Centre (IAC). The satellite – 'Starlink 5314', bearing the number 55678 – began to enter the atmosphere above the Kingdom's skies at around 7.27pm local time in Saudi Arabia, the IAC said. Watch a video, shared by IAC, here: The satellite was moving from north to south, and was visible from large parts of the country. The areas where the satellite could be observed included Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and Madinah Al-Munawwarah. The satellite was launched on February 17, 2023, and shortly thereafter re-entered the atmosphere and burned up almost completely, the IAC added. Only minor debris is expected to have reached Earth, posing no significant risk.
