Latest news with #OmanSpaceandAstronomicalSociety
Muscat Daily
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Muscat Daily
Summer solstice on June 21 marks start of khareef in Dhofar
Muscat – The summer solstice, which marks the official beginning of astronomical summer, will occur on Saturday, June 21, the Oman Space and Astronomical Society (OSAS) has confirmed. The event coincides with the onset of the much-anticipated Khareef (monsoon) season in the Dhofar governorate. The solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. In Oman, it also signals the start of the annual khareef phenomenon that transforms Dhofar into a lush green landscape, attracting thousands of visitors from within the sultanate and across the region. The Oman Space and Astronomical Society noted that on this day, the sun will be directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, ushering in intense summer heat in most parts of the country – while the southern region experiences cooling monsoon rains. The khareef season, which typically lasts until September, is a vital period for tourism in Salalah and surrounding areas, known for their misty hills, flowing wadis, and mild weather. Authorities have already begun preparations to welcome an influx of tourists, with efforts focused on traffic management, accommodation readiness, and enhanced public services across Dhofar
Muscat Daily
19-05-2025
- Science
- Muscat Daily
OSAS promotes astronomy and science outreach in Tanzania
Muscat – Oman Space and Astronomical Society (OSAS) has successfully completed a visit to Tanzania aimed at promoting astronomy, moonsighting standardisation and citizen science outreach. Led by OSAS board member Abdulwahab Sulaiman al Busaidi and UK-based expert in Islamic moonsighting Ibrahim Jaafar, the visit included lectures, meetings with religious scholars, and strategic partnerships with government and religious institutions. The lectures covered topics ranging from galaxy formation to satellite communications, highlighting astronomy's role in national development and youth empowerment through citizen science. Speaking to Muscat Daily, Busaidi, who delivered a lecture titled 'Astronomy and Faith: Bridging Science and Islam', said, 'Our goal was not only to share knowledge but to plant the seeds of long-term collaboration in space science between Oman and Tanzania. Faith and science are not opposites. When aligned, they enhance our understanding of the universe and enrich spiritual practices.' The delegation's itinerary included key academic institutions, such as Zanzibar State University, Karume Institute of Science and Technology and Sumait University. A major highlight of the visit was a presentation on moonsighting and astronomy at Zanzibar Grand Mosque, where Busaidi discussed the Islamic importance of unified lunar observations using scientific tools. The visit also included a high-profile event at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam attended by senior officials – Oman's Ambassador to Tanzania H E Saud al Shidhani and the Deputy Mufti of Tanzania. The event also featured a meeting with President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar. 'Tanzania has the potential to become a space science leader in Africa. This is not just science diplomacy – it's a shared vision of enlightenment,' said Busaidi. He added that the visit included a proposal to establish the Zanzibar Astronomy and Space Society and involve Tanzanian students in NASA's International Astronomical Search Collaboration.
