Khaberni - October of each year witnesses a distinctive astronomical phenomenon represented by the gathering of summer and winter stars in a single night, in a rare celestial scene reflecting the astronomical diversity that adorns the skies of Saudi Arabia during this time of year.
In this context, Adnan Khalifa, a member of the Space and Astronomy Club and a specialist in astronomical photography, explained that the current October was marked by the appearance of a number of striking astronomical phenomena, most notably the last quarter conjunction of the Moon with Jupiter and the star at the end of Gemini, and the rising of the star Al-Thurayya at dawn on the eastern horizon, in addition to the appearance of the Giant Harvest Moon, which is the first giant moon of the year 2025, where it reached its full phase near Earth's perigee, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
Khalifa noted that the skies of the Northern Border region are among the most suitable locations in Saudi Arabia for observing astronomical phenomena, due to the low light pollution levels, offering astronomy enthusiasts a unique opportunity to clearly observe planets and stars and follow the galactic scenes in an ideal natural environment.
He added that the current time of the year witnesses a beautiful overlap between the summer and winter constellations, where the constellation of Scorpio shines in the western horizon at the beginning of the evening, while the arm of the Milky Way is clearly visible, as the constellation of Orion and the star of Al-Shi’ra Al-Yamaniya emerges around midnight, and the scene concludes with the star Suhail before dawn from the southern side.
These phenomena reflect the astronomical diversity and distinctive geographical location enjoyed by the skies of Saudi Arabia, making it one of the most suitable regions for observing astronomical events throughout the year, and enhancing its status as a scientific and tourist destination for astronomy enthusiasts locally and regionally.
