Latest news with #AstronomyCentre
Time of India
17 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
UAE 2026 holiday forecast: Likely dates for Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha revealed
Actual dates for Islamic events will be confirmed based on official moon sightings in the UAE/(Representational Image) As UAE residents return from the recent Eid Al Adha long weekend, attention is already turning toward the next set of significant Islamic dates and holidays in 2026 (1447 AH). The UAE's Astronomy Centre has now released its projected calendar for the upcoming Hijri year, offering a preview of when Muslims in the country, and across the region, can expect to observe key religious events. It's important to note that these dates are based on astronomical calculations and remain subject to official moon sightings and government announcements, which will confirm the exact timing of public holidays. Hijri New Year (1 Muharram 1447 AH) Expected Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025 The Islamic New Year is set to begin on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with the Moon sighting for the month of Muharram expected on the evening of Wednesday, June 25, corresponding to Dhul Hijjah 29, 1446 AH. As per the UAE's official public holiday calendar, residents can expect a public holiday on this occasion, marking the start of the new Hijri year 1447 AH. Ramadan 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 AH) Expected Start: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (Western regions) Thursday, February 19, 2026 (Eastern regions) In a welcomed shift, Ramadan 2026 is likely to fall in the cooler month of February, a departure from this year's early March schedule. This year, Ramadan began on Saturday, March 1, 2025, but due to the Islamic lunar calendar moving 10 to 12 days earlier each year, next year's fasting month is expected to begin on: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (moon sighting) Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (start of Ramadan in western regions like UAE) Thursday, February 19, 2026 (start in eastern regions) As always, actual dates may differ depending on regional moon sightings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Adult Only Resorts Resorts | Search Ads Undo The holy month, which spans 29 or 30 days, is observed with fasting from dawn to dusk and is a time marked by charity, prayer, and community across the Muslim world. Eid Al Fitr 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447 AH) Expected Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is determined by the sighting of the Shawwal crescent. Based on current projections, the moon is expected to be sighted on Thursday, March 19, 2026, which would place Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026. As with Ramadan, the exact timing of Eid celebrations can vary depending on geographic location: Western regions, including the UAE, are expected to mark Eid on March 20 Eastern regions may observe Eid a day later, on Saturday, March 21, 2026 The holiday is a time for communal prayers, festive meals, and charitable giving, following a month of spiritual discipline. Eid Al Adha 2026 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH) Expected Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (UAE and western regions) Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (Eastern regions) The Festival of Sacrifice, or Eid Al Adha, is one of the holiest days in Islam. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. The day also follows the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah), which is observed with fasting and reflection by Muslims worldwide, except for pilgrims performing Hajj. The crescent marking the start of Dhul Hijjah is expected to be seen on: Saturday, May 16, 2026, which places 1 Dhul Hijjah on Sunday, May 17 in the UAE In eastern regions, the moon may be sighted a day later, meaning 1 Dhul Hijjah would fall on Monday, May 18, 2026 Based on this timeline: Eid Al Adha in the UAE is expected on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Other parts of the world, especially in the eastern hemisphere, may observe it on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 The nine days leading up to Eid are spent in devotion, prayer, and fasting, with the slaughter of livestock performed on Eid as a symbol of sacrifice and generosity, with meat distributed among family, friends, and the poor. Summary of Likely Dates (1447 AH | Gregorian 2025–2026) Event Likely Gregorian Date Notes Hijri New Year Thursday, June 26, 2025 Public holiday likely in UAE Ramadan Begins Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 Eastern regions may start on Feb 19 Eid Al Fitr Friday, March 20, 2026 Subject to Ramadan length (29–30 days) Dhul Hijjah Begins Sunday, May 17, 2026 Eastern regions may begin on May 18 Eid Al Adha Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Likely one-day delay in eastern regions These dates have been calculated by the UAE Astronomy Centre and are based on lunar predictions. The final confirmation will come only through official moon sightings, conducted by the UAE's Moon Sighting Committee, which also urges the public to participate in moon sightings during important months. While these dates serve as a reliable forecast, residents are advised to wait for official announcements from UAE authorities closer to each event.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Watch: UAE astronomers spot asteroid in Abu Dhabi skies
UAE astronomors have successfully spotted an asteroid in Abu Dhabi skies on Sunday, May 17, Astronomy Centre said on X. The minor planet, called C44UN71, appears in a clip shared by the centre as a tiny dot in the sky among stars that show up as moving black lines. The astronomical breakthrough was achieved by Abu Dhabi's Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory at 11am UAE time. Before the UAE, the asteroid has been spotted by two observatories in the US state of Arizona. "Before being observed by the Al-Khatim Observatory, the inaccuracy in its coordinates was 0.4 degrees. After the observation, the Al-Khatim Observatory was able to reduce the inaccuracy to 0.0095 degrees," it added. Earlier this month, stunning images of solar flames, sunspots were captured and compiled in one clip by UAE astronomers from the skies of Abu Dhabi. The footage shows some solar prominences at the edges, small solar spicules all around the Sun's limb, a few dark solar filaments on the surface, and some sunspots.
Ammon
12-05-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Abu Dhabi astronomers capture sunspots, solar flames in stunning clip
Ammon News - Stunning images of solar flames, sunspots were captured and compiled in one clip by UAE astronomers from the skies of Abu Dhabi in Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory. The footage shows some solar prominences at the edges, small solar spicules all around the Sun's limb, a few dark solar filaments on the surface, and some sunspots, the Astronomy Centre said on Monday. The striking 10-seconds clip was made by UAE astronomer Mohammed Odeh. The observatory team included Osama Ghannam, Anas Mohammed, Khalfan Al-Nuaimi. Capturing the footage was done using a specialised solar telescope called Hydrogen-alpha, showing the movement of solar prominences and occasional solar ejections along the edges of the Sun. The layer of the Sun visible through this solar telescope is the chromosphere, which lies above the photosphere—the layer normally visible to the naked eye or through regular telescopes. Hydrogen-alpha allows astronomers to observe the Sun's chromosphere—a layer not visible to the naked eye—revealing phenomena such as solar prominences, spicules, filaments, and sunspots in extraordinary detail. The video is a time-lapse compiled from thousands of images taken over a period of 80 minutes. The solar activity was captured at noon on Sunday, May 11. Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
30-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Look: Shawwal crescent spotted in UAE skies as Eid Al Fitr begins
The UAE's Astronomy Centre released the first official image of the Shawwal crescent marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr festivities in the country. The image was captured on the morning of Sunday, March 30, in Abu Dhabi. The Moon was observed at the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory at 7.30am local time. At the time of capturing, the Moon's distance from the sun was 10.5 degrees. Yesterday, authorities confirmed the UAE will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Sunday, March 30, after the spotting of the Shawwal crescent. This means that UAE residents will get a four-day break to celebrate the Islamic festival, in the first long weekend of 2025. This aligns with the official UAE holiday calendar which had said that the Eid Al Fitr holiday would be from Shawwal 1 to Shawwal 3. This year, an official announcement added that Sunday March 30 (Ramadan 30) will also be a paid holiday. Earlier, UAE's Fatwa Council called on Muslims in the country to observe the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday evening, the 29th of Ramadan. Abu Dhabi
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Fitr 2025: Saudi Arabia calls on Muslims to spot Shawwal moon on Saturday evening
Muslims across Saudi Arabia have been urged to look for the crescent moon on the 29th of Ramadan, 1446 AH, corresponding to Saturday, March 29, 2025, on the Gregorian calendar. In an advisory, the Supreme Court called on all individuals who spot the crescent, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars, to report their sighting to the nearest court and have their testimony officially recorded. They may also notify the nearest observation center. The court encouraged those able to participate in moon sighting efforts and collaborate with designated committees across the Kingdom. It emphasized that taking part in this effort is considered an act of righteousness and piety, serving the broader Muslim community. In an official statement, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH was observed on Saturday, March 1, 2025. As a result, the sighting of the Shawwal crescent will determine the start of Eid Al Fitr. The UAE's Fatwa Council has also called on Muslims in the country to observe the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday evening, the 29th of Ramadan. Anyone who sees the crescent on the evening of March 29 is urged to contact the committee in order to submit their testimony. Countries across the globe are gearing up for the upcoming Moon sighting for Eid Al Fitr, which will most likely be on Saturday, March 29, 2025. However, UAE's Astronomy Centre said that sighting the crescent itself may not be possible in most parts of the world. It provided a map and a general area of where the moon can most likely be seen. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced a four-day Eid Al Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors, according to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The holiday will begin on March 30, and continue till April 2, with work resuming on April 3. Combined with the Friday-Saturday weekend, this would give private sector employees a 6-day break.
