Latest news with #MohammedShawkatOdeh
Sharjah 24
6 days ago
- Science
- Sharjah 24
Rare cosmic explosion observed over UAE skies
Nova designated AT 2025nlr discovered in Lupus Constellation The nova, officially designated AT 2025nlr, was first detected on the evening of June 12 and confirmed on June 14. It appeared as a bright point of light in the Lupus constellation, known in Arabic as Al Sab ("The Seven"). Brightness allows viewing with small telescopes Currently shining at magnitude 8, the nova is just beyond naked-eye visibility but can be observed with small telescopes in dark-sky areas. Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of Al Khatim Observatory, noted its unusual brightness makes it a significant event for both amateur and professional astronomers. Al Khatim Observatory provides critical observations Following an urgent request from an international astronomical network, Al Khatim Observatory conducted photometric observations, recording the nova's brightness at 7.7 in infrared, 8.2 in green, and 8.3 in blue. These findings have been sent to global research centers monitoring the event. What is a Nova? Unlike supernovae, novae are not star deaths but surface explosions in binary star systems. The eruption occurs when material from one star accumulates on its white dwarf companion, triggering a thermonuclear blast visible from Earth. Southern location gives Al Khatim strategic importance Because the nova lies deep in the southern celestial hemisphere, it is not visible from most observatories in Europe and North America, making the role of Al Khatim Observatory vital for continued observation. Discovery by ASAS-SN Global Sky Survey The nova was initially discovered by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN), a global project led by Ohio State University. ASAS-SN operates a network of 20 robotic telescopes across both hemispheres, scanning the entire sky daily to detect transient cosmic events such as novae, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts.
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha on June 6 as Dhul Hijjah crescent Moon likely to be sighted on May 27: IAC
The International Astronomical Centre (IAC) announced that the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH will be sighted across the Islamic world on Tuesday, May 27. Engineer Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of the center, explained that the crescent moon can be seen on that day using a telescope from Central and Western Asia, most parts of Africa, and Europe, and can also be seen with the naked eye from large parts of the Americas. He added that based on this, Wednesday, May 28, is expected to be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and Friday, June 6, will be the first day of Eid al-Adha in most Islamic countries. The statement detailed the crescent's location in several Arab and international cities at sunset on Tuesday, May 27. The moon will set in Jakarta 9 minutes after sunset, and will be 9 hours and 2 minutes old, making it impossible to see even with a telescope. In Abu Dhabi, the moon sets 38 minutes after sunset, at an age of 13 hours and 29 minutes, and is 7.7 degrees away from the sun, making it visible only with a telescope. Similar conditions apply in Mecca, where the moon sets 39 minutes after sunset, at an age of 14 hours and 17 minutes, and is 8.1 degrees away from the sun. In cities such as Amman and Jerusalem, the moon sets 48 minutes after sunset, reaching an age of 14 hours and 46 minutes, and is 8.4 degrees away from the sun. In Cairo, it sets 47 minutes after sunset, reaching an age of 14 hours and 54 minutes, and an angular distance of 8.5 degrees. In Rabat, the crescent sets 58 minutes after sunset, reaching an age of 17 hours, and is 9.9 degrees away from the sun. In these cities, seeing the crescent may be possible with the naked eye, but with difficulty and requires very clear skies. The International Astronomy Center explained that the numbers related to the crescent's age and duration are not sufficient alone to determine the possibility of seeing it, as visibility is affected by other factors such as the angular distance from the sun and the height above the horizon at the time of observation. He explained that the shortest recorded duration of a crescent that could be seen with the naked eye was 29 minutes, and the shortest age of a crescent that could be seen with the naked eye was 15 hours and 33 minutes.
The National
24-02-2025
- General
- The National
Ramadan 2025: Holy month set to begin on March 1, Abu Dhabi astronomy centre predicts
Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, across the Arab world, an astronomy centre in Abu Dhabi has said. The International Astronomical Centre announced on Thursday that most Muslim countries will seek to observe the new crescent moon, heralding the start of the holy month, on Friday, February 28. Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of the centre, said the crescent moon could be visible in some parts of the Arab world on that date. If the crescent moon is seen, Ramadan will be observed from the following day. If the moon is not visible, the holy month will begin on March 2. Millions of people in the Emirates and around the world will observe Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The length of the month is determined by the lunar cycle. Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, with their fast allowing them to focus on faith and empathise with the less fortunate. For many Muslims, Ramadan is an annual reset. It represents a complete change in routine, with worshippers reconsidering their priorities, increasing their piety and gathering with close friends and family. They typically also increase their charitable contributions and spend time on personal reflection. If Ramadan begins on March 1, the final day of the holy month will either be on March 29 or 30. Ramadan will begin about three weeks before the end of spring term for many schools. With Ramadan falling earlier on the Roman calendar every year, Muslims can expect to fast for a slightly shorter time period this year compared with last year. But the days become longer towards the end of the month. This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours and 13 minutes. The fasting time will steadily increase and by the end of Ramadan, the fast will last for 14 hours and 55 minutes.
ARN News Center
15-02-2025
- Science
- ARN News Center
March 1 'likely' to be first day of Ramadan 2025
The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre predicted most Islamic countries will begin the holy month of Ramadan on March 1. The Director of the Centre, Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, said the crescent may be visible by telescope in some parts of the Islamic world on February 28. Given that the conjunction occurs before sunset and the moon sets after sunset in all Islamic regions, it is expected that most Islamic countries will declare March 1 the first day of Ramadan. The UAE is awaiting official confirmation on the start date of Ramadan by the moon-sighting committee.
Dubai Eye
14-02-2025
- Science
- Dubai Eye
March 1 'likely' to be first day of Ramadan 2025
The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre predicted most Islamic countries will begin the holy month of Ramadan on March 1. The Director of the Centre, Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, said the crescent may be visible by telescope in some parts of the Islamic world on February 28. Given that the conjunction occurs before sunset and the moon sets after sunset in all Islamic regions, it is expected that most Islamic countries will declare March 1 the first day of Ramadan. The UAE is awaiting official confirmation on the start date of Ramadan by the moon-sighting committee.
