Astronomy in Action: Our Events

-Where Bright Minds Come Together-

Explore the universe with us! Our events cover everything from stargazing to the latest astronomy discoveries. Stay updated and dive into the wonders of space

What we have captured in Ramadan Stargazing event

The Moon

The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite and has been around for about 4.5 billion years. Scientists believe it formed when a Mars-sized object called Theia collided with Earth. The debris from that impact eventually came together to form the Moon. Its surface is covered in craters, mountains, and flat plains of ancient lava called maria.

Phases of the Moon

As the Moon orbits Earth, we see different parts of it lit up by the Sun. This cycle repeats roughly every 29.5 days:

· New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, so we can’t see it.

· Waxing Crescent: A small part of the Moon starts to appear.

· First Quarter: Half of the Moon is visible.

· Waxing Gibbous: More than half is lit up.

· Full Moon: The entire Moon is visible from Earth.

· Waning Gibbous: The lit part starts to shrink.

· Last Quarter: Again, only half is visible.

· Waning Crescent: A small sliver remains before the cycle repeats.

The Moon also plays a huge role in controlling ocean tides through its gravitational pull. It even helps keep Earth’s tilt stable, which affects our climate.

Jupiter and Its Moons

Jupiter , the largest planet in the solar system, is a massive gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Its immense gravity acts as Earth’s shield, capturing or deflecting asteroids and comets that could threaten our planet.

One of Jupiter’s most famous features is the Great Red Spot, a massive storm system larger than Earth that has been raging for centuries. The planet also has the strongest magnetic field in the solar system, contributing to its intense radiation belts.

Jupiter has 79 known moons, with the four Galilean moons being the most significant:

Io – The most volcanically active body in the solar system.
Europa – An icy moon with a subsurface ocean, a key target in the search for life.
Ganymede – The largest moon, with its own magnetic field and a possible underground ocean.
Callisto – A heavily cratered moon, potentially harboring a hidden ocean.

Jupiter and its moons continue to be key targets for scientific exploration, offering insights into planetary formation, extreme weather, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Upcoming missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s JUICE will further study these fascinating worlds.

Mars : The Red Planet

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is a cold, desert-like world known for its red, iron-rich soil. It has Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the solar system, and Valles Marineris, the longest canyon. Scientists believe Mars once had liquid water, making it a key target in the search for past or present life.

Atmosphere & Water

Mars has a thin CO₂-rich atmosphere, causing extreme temperatures and massive dust storms. While no liquid water exists today, ice is found at the poles and underground, hinting at a wetter past.

Moons: Phobos & Deimos

Mars has two small moons: Phobos, which is slowly moving toward Mars, and Deimos, a more distant and smoother moon.

Exploration & Future Missions

NASA’s Perseverance rover is searching for ancient life, while SpaceX and NASA plan future missions, including potential human colonization. Mars remains one of the most exciting frontiers for exploration.

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Sirius : The Brightest Star in the sky

Sirius, or AshShira (الشِّعْرَىٰ), is the brightest star in the night sky, located 8.6 light-years away in the Canis Major constellation. It is a binary system consisting of:

Sirius A – A bright, blue-white star, 25 times more luminous than the Sun.

Sirius B – A faint white dwarf, the remnant of a dead star.

Sirius in the Quran

Sirius is the only star directly mentioned in the Quran, in Surah An-Najm (53:49):

"And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius." (Quran 53:49)

This verse reminds that Allah alone is the Creator, as some pre-Islamic Arab tribes worshipped Sirius as a deity.

Cultural & Astronomical Importance

Sirius was used for navigation by early Arab civilizations.
It played a role in ancient religious beliefs, including in pre-Islamic Arabia and Egypt.
In Kuwait, Sirius is visible from December to March in the southeastern sky.

Sirius remains a symbol of divine creation and scientific wonder, uniting astronomy, history, and faith.

Q8 Stars

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