Dubai: The Milky Way is set to provide a spectacular celestial display across the Arab world this August, with its luminous band visible to the naked eye from areas away from city lights.Moonless skies over the coming evenings are expected to create particularly favourable viewing conditions, allowing stargazers in dark locations with minimal light pollution to see the galaxy stretching across the night sky.Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, said the hazy band seen overhead is an edge-on view of the Milky Way, the galaxy that contains our solar system.Summer nights provide some of the best opportunities to observe the spectacle, as the view is directed towards the Milky Way’s densely packed central region, rich in stars, gas and cosmic dust.Observers will not need telescopes or other specialist equipment, although darker locations away from urban lighting will offer the clearest views.With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs.
As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public.
