RIYADH: A series of astronomical events will coincide with Ramadan this year, offering skywatchers in Saudi Arabia several notable sights, including planetary alignments, a full moon and the spring equinox.
According to Majed Abu Zahra, director of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, the celestial displays began early in the month of Ramadan with a crescent moon appearing in a graceful arc near Saturn, Mercury and Venus, low on the western horizon after sunset.
Such alignments — known as conjunctions — are visual groupings caused by the planets appearing close together from Earth’s perspective.
He emphasized that observing the moon’s phases throughout the month provides an ideal opportunity to monitor lunar shadows and surface features, in addition to viewing variable stars and deep-sky objects through telescopes.
Abouazza El-Mhamdi, associate professor in the physics and astronomy department at King Saud University’s College of Science, told Arab News about the expected displays.
