Rare ‘Buck Moon' lights up Kuwait's night sky
KUWAIT: A rare celestial event graced Kuwait's skies on Thursday evening as the July full moon — known as the 'Buck Moon' — made a stunning appearance, captivating stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts across the country. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Al-Ojairi Scientific Center described the sighting as 'a rare and beautiful phenomenon' that marked the first full moon of the astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. 'The sky of Kuwait today witnessed the brilliance of the first full moon of the astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere, lighting it up with a magical and distinct color in a way considered rare,' the center said.
The term 'Buck Moon,' the Center explained, originates from the time of year when young antlers begin to grow on the foreheads of male deer. According to the center, this particular full moon is one of the lowest of the year, giving it a unique appearance. The phenomenon began at 6:51 pm on Thursday , just after sunset, and lasted for about 10 minutes — offering a short but spectacular show. Moonrise occurred at 6:53 pm, creating an ideal moment for observers to capture the moon's vibrant colors. 'The scene began with its enchanting rise at dusk,' the statement added.
During its rise, the moon appeared orange before slowly climbing over the eastern horizon, where it settled into a low position opposite the sun. 'Its color leaned toward a warm golden hue due to the light passing through dense layers of the atmosphere near the horizon,' the center explained. The moon also appeared larger and brighter than usual. 'Its size during this phenomenon seems bigger and more luminous thanks to its proximity to Earth, while being at its farthest point from the sun this year,' the center said, noting that this made it a perfect opportunity for astrophotography enthusiasts, especially in the Gulf region. The brief but radiant display reminded many of the wonders of the natural world — and the sky's ability to surprise, even in the heart of summer. — KUNA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
4 Kuwaiti students compete in Arab Chemistry Olympiad
KUWAIT: Science instructors hold an orientation session for the students participating in the 10th Arab Chemistry Olympiad, their chemistry senior instructors, and parents. – KUNA KUWAIT: Four high school students from Kuwait are representing their country at the 10th Arab Chemistry Olympiad, taking place in Amman, Jordan, from August 5 to 9. The Ministry of Education announced the students' participation on Sunday, highlighting the importance of the event in strengthening students' scientific skills and regional competitiveness. In a statement, the ministry said its Science Department held an orientation session for the students, their chemistry senior instructors, and parents. The session covered the Olympiad's testing procedures, scientific criteria, and logistical arrangements, including travel and accommodation. The aim was to 'provide the necessary guidance to represent Kuwait honorably at this Arab scientific forum.' Dalal Al-Masoud, science education supervisor, said the Olympiad offers valuable opportunities for students to sharpen their scientific abilities. 'Participation in such competitions reflects Kuwait's commitment to refining students' scientific skills and developing their research capabilities, helping prepare a promising generation capable of competing regionally and globally,' she said. The students representing Kuwait are: Ali Behbehani, Grade 12, from the Joint Talent Academy; Ibrahim Al-Rashidi, Grade 11, from Muhammad Mahmoud Najm High School; Hala Al-Rashidi, Grade 11, from Al-Rawda Fusool Al-Mawhiba High School; and Zahra Al-Haddad, Grade 10, from Tulaitalah High School. Hala Al-Rashidi described the experience as both a challenge and an opportunity. 'My participation in this competition helps develop my skills and gain experience in the scientific field,' she said. 'It also represents a personal challenge and will support us in the future after high school.' Fellow participant Ali Behbehani noted the importance of the preparatory session. 'The orientation meeting was crucial for us,' he said. 'It provided key information about what we might face during the competition and introduced us to the schedule and events. I hope we win the gold medal and raise Kuwait's name high.' The Arab Chemistry Olympiad gathers top-performing students from across the region to compete in rigorous theoretical and practical chemistry exams. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's education reform plan 60% complete: Minister
Al-Tabtabaei vows quality shift in public education in meeting with Kuwait's Prime Minister KUWAIT: Kuwait's ambitious 2025–2027 Education Reform Plan is over 60 percent complete, according to the Ministry of Education, with major milestones already in motion — including the launch of a new office for gifted students and the finalization of a revamped national curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 9. The updates were presented this week by Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei during a meeting at Bayan Palace chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Al-Tabtabaei outlined the reform plan's six pillars — administrative, financial, engineering, education development, digital transformation, and international standards — which together include 39 strategic goals, 61 percent of which have already been achieved. He stressed that the plan is 'progressing according to a well-studied timeline.' Gifted students office One of the key initiatives is the creation of a dedicated office for gifted students, which the minister described as 'a platform to discover and develop student potential and provide a learning environment that fosters creativity.' The new office is part of the broader education development track, which also includes integrating AI and cybersecurity into Grade 10 computer science classes and updating teaching approaches to meet future learning needs. Earlier this week, the ministry confirmed it has completed 88 textbooks for the upcoming curriculum: 2 for kindergarten, 46 for primary, and 40 for secondary levels. The books are now undergoing final language and design checks ahead of printing. To reduce the burden on students, textbooks will be divided into four smaller parts spread across the academic year, starting in 2025–2026. The curriculum also includes 21st-century skills like critical thinking, self-learning, and problem-solving, with inclusive content tailored for different student needs. Training programs to prepare teachers for the new curriculum will begin ahead of the next academic year and will be offered both in person and online. The minister stressed that the education reform plan is progressing on schedule, 'with a commitment to applying best administrative practices to ensure a quality shift in public education in the State of Kuwait.' The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Acting Chief of the Prime Minister's Diwan, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Mohammad Ghaleb Al-Khalidi, and several senior education officials. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
26-07-2025
- Kuwait Times
Scientific Center keen on preserving Kuwait's marine environment
visitors at the exhibition. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Scientific Center (KSC), a subsidiary of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), affirmed on Thursday its keenness to highlight national environmental efforts and raise awareness on the importance of protecting Kuwait's marine environment. Deputy Director General of Visitor Experience at the Scientific Center Mohammad Al-Sanousi told KUNA that the center held a specialized exhibition entitled 'Our Sea' on the sidelines of the 'Shark Week' activities held on July 17, noting that 'the exhibition started on Thursday, and concluded on Saturday.' Al-Sanousi explained that this specialized exhibition includes environmental pavilions with the participation of the Environment Public Authority (EPA), the General Directorate of Coast Guard, the Kuwait Diving Team, the Kuwait Heritage Society, the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), and governmental and private bodies that support the environmental sustainability process in the State of Kuwait. He stated that the exhibition pavilions highlight national environmental efforts and raise awareness on the importance of environmental sustainability for future generations, and have witnessed great turnout and interaction from visitors. A part of the exhibition Kuwait Fire Force Team Director of Public Relations and Media at the Public Authority Environment Minister Sheikha Al-Ibrahim told KUNA that the authority's participation in the 'Mare Nostrum' exhibition is represented by a pavilion that aims to spread environmental awareness and highlight the importance of protecting the marine environment. Al-Ibrahim stated that the participation of the Environment Authority included educational materials and interactive activities targeting various segments of society as part of its efforts to promote environmental culture and support sustainability. The leader of the Cubs Team of the Kuwait Diving Team, Meshari Al-Sanousi, said in a similar statement to KUNA that the Cubs Team's participation in this specialized exhibition comes as part of its efforts to spread environmental awareness and highlight the importance of preserving marine life, especially sharks. Al-Sanousi explained that the Cubs Team's participation is represented by an interactive pavilion that aims to raise the level of environmental awareness about protecting coasts and marine creatures with visual and realistic documentation of the Arabian Gulf environment. — KUNA
