Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (DUBAI)
Khadija Hasan Ahmad and her brother Mahmood Hasan Ahmad are on a mission to help people better see the beauty of the stars. The seeds of their passion for the cosmos were planted in them as children by their father, Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, who took them on monthly stargazing trips to the desert for a better view of the night sky.
Al Hariri is a renowned Emirati astronomer, who founded the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) in 2000 for the purpose of promoting the study of astronomy in the UAE, the Middle East, and beyond.
“The phenomenal things we had the chance to see as children sparked within us this flame of curiosity to observe the stars and learn about the sky above us… that flame is what drives us to do the work we do today,” Khadijah told Aletihad in a recent interview.
“My favourite part about space would be the stars; I cannot stop looking at them… they are just so incredible. I can’t even believe they exist,” she added, describing her fascination with constellations and the different stories behind them in various cultures.
The 25-year-old is now the operations manager at DAG, where she dedicates her time to learning about the stars and teaching others. Mahmood is currently the astro-tourism professional at DAG. In an interview with Aletihad, he delved into the reasons behind his love for astronomy.
“This is a science that makes a person think about the creations of God and the beauty of what’s out there in the sky… There are so many things to discover like stars, nebulas, galaxies, and planets,” he said, noting that despite seeing the planets “over a thousand times” through a telescope, the sight continues to amaze him.
The turning point that began Mahmood’s journey into the field was seeing the Milky Way galaxy when he was a child at Jebel Jais in Oman. He noted that learning about astronomy and the immensity of the universe has instilled within him values such as humbleness and being kind to others.
“My goal is to carry on my father’s mission and goals towards promoting the science of astronomy and educating the public, not only locally, but also throughout the world,” he said.
Top Stargazing Sites
According to Mahmood, the top site for stargazing in the UAE is the Al Quaa Milky Way spot located on the way to Al Ain from Abu Dhabi city; “the place is so incredible that you can see a huge number of stars just by looking up at the sky”.
He added that stargazing events allow people to escape light pollution, offering them a clear view of the sky draped with stars.
Once-in-a-lifetime Space Events
Khadijah said that 2024 is going to be an “incredible” year for astronomy enthusiasts in the UAE and around the world.
She said that two “rare” comets are expected to pass near earth in April and October, one of which only flies past our solar system every 71 years.
A Telescope for Every School
Khadijah noted that the stars have brought her closer both to herself and to other people, particularly children.
“I started working with a lot of kids when I joined the group, teaching them about astronomy and space at schools, camps, and even in the desert,” she said.
“Their interest in space brought me excitement, and I was committed to cultivating it”. Khadijah believes that teaching youth about space is very important, especially in light of the UAE’s ambitious plans and significant progress in the field of space.
“In recent years, the UAE has done a great job in opening up opportunities for youth in the space programmes and the field of space in general,” said Mahmood, who shares her views.
Khadijah said: “I believe it’s necessary to make learning about astronomy accessible all around the world, because it helps us learn more about ourselves…, where we are, where we’re going and even our past”.
She added that one of the initiatives led by DAG is called “A Telescope for Every School”.
“We want each and every school in the UAE to have a telescope so that teaching astronomy can be the norm,” Khadijah said, adding that she also aspires to establish a hub for astronomy in the UAE, open for people from all age groups and backgrounds.
Emirati Women in Space
Khadijah believes that Emirati women are taking on a pioneering role within the field of space.
“The voices of women in the field of space are definitely heard in the UAE,” she said, noting as evidence Emirati astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi, who will be the first female Emirati and Arab astronaut going to space.
Local, International Collaboration
The DAG regularly collaborates with local and international organisations concerned with astronomy, including NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NASA (The US Space Agency).
The collaborative work focuses on the exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer, in addition to building outreach programmes to educate people, according to Khadijah. She noted that anyone with a little bit of curiosity about the universe and a willingness to learn can volunteer and become a member of the Dubai Astronomy Group family.
