Saudi reserve offers prime stargazing opportunities in bid to boost astro-tourism
RIYADH: Skywatchers, astrophotographers and astronomy enthusiasts are expected to flock to the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, as the skies above the 91.5 sq. meter site are set to witness a number of astronomical events in June.
The vast desert landscape and low light pollution levels of the Kingdom’s second-largest terrestrial nature reserve provide ideal conditions for observing celestial phenomena.
A conjunction of Venus and Jupiter was observed on June 9, while June 16-18 will see the Moon align with Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury in one of the month's most notable celestial displays, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On June 19, the Moon will be in conjunction with the star Regulus, followed by the summer solstice on June 21. Other highlights include a conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter on June 25, the Moon’s conjunction with Antares on June 27, Mars appearing near the Pleiades star cluster on June 28, and a Full Moon on June 30.
