Arabian astronomers have been studying the night skies for centuries. Abu Dhabi Week caught up with one group of enthusiastic stargazers to find out more …

It’s a beautifully clear and cold night as we sit in our car at a petrol station somewhere in the north of the country. It is almost 10pm, and we have no idea what to expect as we spot a flash of headlights from a green Land Cruiser.

Behind the wheel is Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, one of the founding members of the UAE Astronomy Group. We’ve arranged to meet him at one of the group’s many stargazing get-togethers to learn more about the Middle East’s long history of astronomy.

“We’re hoping to catch a meteor shower and spot Saturn – the jewel of the solar system – as well as observe the moon tonight,” explains Hasan. He busies himself, enthusiastically setting up a number of impressive professional-looking telescopes.

“I have six of these,” he says. “You don’t really need a telescope to observe the sky, though; I never leave home without my binoculars, and quite honestly you can simply lay back on the ground and look up.”

Right on cue, Al Hariri whips out a rather battered camping lounger that tips back until he is almost horizontal.
“The very best way to look at the sky is with a 180 degree view,” he says. “Your eyes can’t do this naturally when you’re standing.

“This is real astronomy,” he adds. “It’s about being outside in the open, laid back, relaxing and watching the sky. It’s such a pleasure.”

 

The rest of the group have gathered and follow Hasan’s lead, lying down on large mats spread out on the sand to look up at the sky.

Visibility is good now. “In a little while the air will be damp and dewy – the dew affects visibility. Plus there’s a chance of cloud tonight,” Al Hariri explains.

And he’s right. A few clouds quickly cover the pearlescent moon, so with the group sat up once more, Hasan brings out a long green laser beam and begins pointing out visible stars in the sky.

A telecommunications and IT consultant by day, Hasan is clearly passionate about this subject. As he begins to explain each star, the group – an impressive gathering of about 150 – hush their friendly chatter, gather the few children running around and listen intently.

“It’s not as perfect for viewing stars as it is out in the desert, or on top of somewhere like Jebel Hafeet,” Hasan comments. “There’s too much light pollution from the city. But you can spot Sirius on most clear nights – a wonderful thing considering it’s 80 light years away from Earth. Sirius is the brightest star visible through the atmosphere.”

Piercing the black night sky with his green laser, he turns to point out the North Star, followed by Orion – known as the ‘constellation of the winter’.

“I remember my grandfather being able to work out exactly when the weather was going to change,” says Hasan. “He used to point out the Suhail star and say that rain or cold weather was on the way. He was always right. And he could also work out the exact time of night, just by looking up at the night sky.”

The clouds are beginning to roll over the sky, blanketing some of the stars. Hasan shakes his laser pointer: the battery is running out. Despite this minor glitch, and the cloud cover, he still has time to show us two stars – referred to as the big and small dog – that in astrological terms help the Hunter search for the constellation Taurus.

 

We’re tempted to ask about other popular constellations including Scorpio (which can be viewed during the summer months in the UAE) when Hasan starts talking with some seriousness about the “clear and crucial” difference between astronomy and astrology.

“Astrology is quite simply hocus pocus!” he says with some vigour. “It’s simply not science; astronomy reads the facts, astrology is part of the human saga, to find connection. In my view, everything should be quantifiable and measurable.”

A belief in astrology is not prohibited in Islam, according to Hasan, but it’s not encouraged. “Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) says in the Quran that any Muslim who goes to seek the advice of an astrologer will find that 60 days of prayers will not be accepted by Allah,” he says.

“The Arabs clearly separated astronomy from astrology. Astronomy is all based on fact, and the Arabs have long flourished in the science.”

 

Al Hariri believes that the knowledge and understanding shown by Arabs comes from their relationship with Islam. “Take a look at the five pillars of Islam,” he says, turning his gaze away from the sky to focus on the group.

“Each pillar is connected to the skies on some level. To pray five times a day calls for understanding the time of day; to fast needs the understanding of the arrival of the Holy Month and the position of the moon; to follow Zakat – giving a percentage of our money to the poor – needs us to understand the counting of the year, as money sat in our money for more than a year should be given to the needy, and Pilgrimage, to visit Mecca needs us to find the twelth month.”

Over the course of history, much of the Arab world has shown commitment to the science of astronomy.

“Astronomy has long been a centre pillar of civilisation for the Arab world,” says Hasan. “Every Muslim city had an observatory, and every mosque had a sundial. The minarets of mosques held a solar clock and many mosques held astronomy schools.”

 

By now, the clouds have completely destroyed any hope of spotting the expected meteor shower and the stars are nowhere to be seen, but no one seems disheartened as they begin to pack away and head home.

“Every night is like a new canvas,” says Al Hariri with a smile as he takes once last glance at the sky. “So we haven’t seen anything tonight,” he shrugs. “It’s just a real pleasure to be out under the sky with people.

“There aren’t many professional astronomers out here, but there are plenty of likeminded amateurs in the UAE, and that’s part of the pleasure – being able to learn, share and discover together.”

Charlie Kennedy

Join the UAE Astronomy Group

The astronomy club was formed casually by a group of keen astronomers in 1993, but in 2000 opened to the public as interest for the group grew.

“Today we have almost 2,300 members and not just from the UAE,” says Al Hariri proudly. “We have members in India, the USA, Russia … all over the globe.”

The non-government organisation is still open to more members and welcomes all ages, male and female to join. Standard membership is free and with 22 comprehensive courses, workshops, lectures and more to choose from, you can not only meet up and join the monthly stargazing party, but learn a new hobby along the way. Contact Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri: 050 624 6172 for more information.

Interested in other UAE astronomy groups? Try the Emirates Astronomical Society (02 666 3318) or the Emirates Heritage Club Amateur Astronomy Association (02 558 4440).

Star spotting in the 21st century
Fancy being able to work out the location of the North Star or being able to easily recognise the Hunter or the Scorpion constellations? The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has recently developed and launched Star Walk in collaboration with VITO Technology. The 3D astronomical software graphic programme, the first of its kind in Arabic, allows iPad and iPhone users to spot the stars and experience a virtual tour of a planet or star of their choice. Complete with mathematical calculations and information relating to each planet and star, you can track the stars through day and night, across the sky. Visit www.apple.com to download.