The Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department in Dubai has announced its successful observation of the rising of the star Canopus, clearly visible at dawn from Al Ain, Al Qou’a, in the southern part of the United Arab Emirates. This achievement is part of the Department's ongoing astronomical efforts to monitor celestial phenomena relevant to the preparation of the annual Islamic calendar.
Hamad Mohammed Saleh, Head of the Prayer Timings and Crescent Sighting Section at the Department, confirmed that the Dubai Crescent Sighting Committee successfully documented the rising of the star Canopus. This annual event is eagerly anticipated by the people of the United Arab Emirates as it signifies the end of intense heat and the approaching arrival of autumn, with temperatures gradually decreasing.
He noted that the team observed the rising of the star Canopus through telescopes and binoculars on Saturday, August 24, from the Al Qou’a area. On the following day, Sunday, August 25, Canopus was visible to the naked eye for ten minutes from 5:22 to 5:32 AM at the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park. This marks a new record for the earliest observation of Canopuswith the naked eye in the United Arab Emirates. The observation was also captured with a professional camera. Statistics show that the closest previous observation with a telescope was on August 27, and with the naked eye on August 28.
The team comprises members of the Dubai Crescent Sighting Committee, including: Hamad Mohammed Saleh, Tamim Al Tamimi, Mohammed Al Kamali, Ibrahim Radwan.