Doha: The Milky Way's spiral arm was observed on Saturday shining over the skies of Umm Al-Asafir, located 60 kilometers south of Rafha. The striking astronomical scene revealed the arm's clear expanse thanks to the clarity of the atmosphere and low levels of light pollution, providing ideal conditions for stargazing and night photography.
According to Saudi Press Agency, member of the Afaq Society for Astronomy, Berjis Al-Fulaih, emphasized that the spectacle revealed the dense expanse of the Milky Way's spiral arm across the center of the night sky, with thousands of stars and stellar clouds clearly visible.
He mentioned that the exceptional visibility reflected the clarity of the atmosphere and the absence of light pollution at the site, allowing the spiral arm's intricate details to emerge and highlighting the beauty of the night sky.
Al-Fulaih noted that the periods at the beginning and end of each lunar month during July, August, September, and October are among the best times to observe the Milky Way's spiral arm, as the absence or reduced brightness of the moon enhances the galaxy's contrast and reveals its features more clearly.
He added that these conditions provide an ideal environment for astronomy enthusiasts and astrophotographers. Furthermore, he highlighted that desert areas with low levels of light pollution are among the best locations for observing astronomical phenomena, thanks to their open horizons and clear skies, which allow celestial objects to be viewed with the naked eye or through astronomical equipment.
Al-Fulaih also indicated that such conditions support the growing popularity of astronomical tourism and nature photography in Saudi Arabia.