Latest news with #JeddahAstronomicalSociety
Leaders
29-05-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Jeddah Stargazers Monitor Asteroid 2025 KX3's Close Earth Flyby
Scientists and space enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the imminent passage of asteroid 2025 KX3 near Earth. This celestial event, though posing no threat, has captured the attention of global monitoring centers. Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, the esteemed head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, sheds light on this fascinating phenomenon. Asteroid 2025 KX3, first observed in May, belongs to the category of near-Earth objects, as confirmed by Eng. Abu Zahra. With a diameter of merely 10 meters, it pales in comparison to its larger counterparts. Consequently, this diminutive asteroid does not raise concerns among astronomers. Asteroid 2025 KX3's Rendezvous with Earth According to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, asteroid 2025 KX3 will zoom past Earth at a distance of 340,000 kilometers. This distance, equivalent to 90% of the Earth-Moon separation, qualifies as a relatively close encounter. Traveling at a staggering speed of 45,000 kilometers per hour, the asteroid's velocity falls within the typical range for near-Earth objects. Eng. Abu Zahra emphasizes the significance of monitoring such events, as they provide invaluable insights into asteroid behavior. The asteroid's closest approach to Earth is expected to occur at 12:15 p.m. Makkah time. Each close encounter presents a unique opportunity to study asteroids' movements, orbital characteristics, and physical composition. The Jeddah Astronomical Society: Illuminating the Cosmos for All The Jeddah Astronomical Society, a specialized astronomy and space association, caters to diverse segments of society. Its primary objective is to foster astronomical awareness and knowledge among the public. The society actively monitors various astronomical phenomena and disseminates information through newsletters and simplified scientific translations. In conclusion, the passage of asteroid 2025 KX3 near Earth offers an exciting opportunity for scientific exploration and public engagement. As we eagerly await this celestial spectacle, let us appreciate the wonders of our universe and the tireless efforts of those who strive to unravel its mysteries. Short link : Post Views: 5
Saudi Gazette
29-05-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Jeddah Astronomy: Asteroid 2025 KX3 approaches Earth
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Scientists and space enthusiasts are preparing to monitor the passage of the small asteroid 2025 KX3 near planet Earth. Although it will pass at a safe distance, this event is being closely monitored by global monitoring centers. Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, stated that the asteroid 2025 KX3, which was observed in May, is classified as a near-Earth object, and its diameter is estimated to be only about 10 meters, which makes it relatively small compared to larger asteroids that are not a cause for concern. He explained that according to data from NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, the asteroid will pass at a distance of 340,000 kilometers, or approximately 90% of the distance between the Earth and the Moon, which is a relatively close distance, and will move at a speed of up to 45,000 kilometers per hour, which is within the usual range for near-Earth objects that pass at relatively close distances. Abu Zahra noted that the asteroid is expected to reach its closest point to Earth at 12:15 p.m. Makkah time, considering that monitoring such events is of great importance to scientists, as every approach of this type represents a golden opportunity to study the movement of asteroids, the characteristics of their orbits, and their physical composition. The Jeddah Astronomical Society is a specialized astronomy and space association that addresses all segments of society. It aims to spread astronomical scientific awareness among members of society, monitor various astronomical phenomena, issue a newsletter on various astronomical events, and translate astronomical references from various sources and present them in simplified scientific language.
Egypt Independent
01-03-2025
- Science
- Egypt Independent
Ramadan skies light up: Crescent moon, eclipse, and planetary views
Observing the sky in March presents a trade-off: it coincides with the beginning of Ramadan this year, and as the month progresses, sunset gradually becomes later and the weather becomes less cold. However, the winter constellations can still be seen in the evening sky, although they have begun to shift westward. According to the Jeddah Astronomical Society on their Facebook account, Venus appears in the western horizon immediately after sunset and is easy to spot—it's so bright you might mistake it for an airplane at first. Venus's intense brightness is due to its proximity to Earth, but more importantly, its dense and cloudy atmosphere strongly reflects sunlight. However, because of this brightness, Venus is not ideal for telescope observation, although it can be seen as a small crescent this month. This is because its orbit around the sun is inside Earth's orbit, meaning it goes through phases similar to the moon. Ramadan Crescent One of the most beautiful celestial events is the appearance of the Ramadan crescent near Venus on March 1st. The new crescent will appear below and to the left of bright Venus in the western horizon immediately after sunset. Below Venus and the moon, you can look for Mercury, which will appear as a bright speck below the lunar crescent. Mercury Observation During the first half of March, Mercury and Venus will remain close to each other after sunset, but as the month progresses, they will begin to approach the western horizon more and more. By late March, Venus and Mercury will move to the eastern horizon in the early morning sky, but they will disappear in the sun's glare. The best night to observe Mercury is the evening of March 8th. Total Lunar Eclipse in Ramadan The first major astronomical event in March, in the middle of Ramadan, is a total lunar eclipse visible in most of the western hemisphere on the night of March 13-14, when the moon passes through Earth's shadow. This is the first of two eclipses that will occur this year and is not visible in Saudi Arabia but will be seen in its partial form in the Maghreb countries. The society noted that the Gemini constellation and the rest of the magnificent winter constellations in the northern hemisphere still adorn the southern horizon at the beginning of the night. This will be the last month you can enjoy this stellar group, as the Earth's movement in its orbit around the sun will gradually cause the night side of Earth to move away from this part of space. This year, the winter constellations are accompanied by Jupiter and Mars. Jupiter is the brighter of the two and is also the brightest celestial body among the winter constellations. Jupiter is located above the Gemini stars in the northern hemisphere. Using a small telescope, you can see four of Jupiter's largest moons, which change positions on either side of the planet from night to night as they orbit the giant of our solar system. Mars is located above and to the left of the Gemini stars, between the brightest stars of the Gemini constellation. Through a medium-sized telescope, you can see its surface features, including its north pole, if the sky is dark and clear enough. On March 8th, the first quarter moon will be close to Mars, less than two degrees away. The three bright stars that form the Orion's Belt are clearly visible, and no other group of stars has this brightness and perfect straight line. Below the belt are three faint stars that form the Orion's Sword. The middle star is the Orion Nebula, which appears as a hazy star to the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through small telescopes, where you can see a giant cloud of hydrogen gas where stars are forming. The society said that the Taurus constellation is considered one of the winter constellations in the northern hemisphere. Although it may be one of the smaller winter constellations, it contains the Pleiades star cluster, which resembles the stars of the Little Dipper. The Pleiades cluster is located more than 400 light-years from Earth and is more than 40 light-years in diameter. Using a small telescope or binoculars, you can see dozens of stars that were born together in a giant hydrogen cloud more than 100 million years ago.
Saudi Gazette
20-02-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Proper diet and healthy eating key to enjoying Ramadan fast
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — As Ramadan comes, the body needs to gradually prepare to adapt to changes in diet, eating and drinking times. Proper preparation helps reduce feelings of fatigue and hunger and improves the ability to fast smoothly. The first step is to gradually reduce your caffeine and sugar intake to avoid headaches and fatigue in the first days of fasting. Caffeinated drinks can be replaced with herbal tea or natural drinks that provide energy without causing caffeine is also recommended to adjust mealtimes so that the body becomes accustomed to eating food close to suhoor and iftar. Eating balanced meals that contain proteins, fiber, and healthy fats helps promote satiety for longer hydrated is essential, so increase your water intake at night and reduce your intake of carbonated and sweetened drinks. Adding water-rich fruit and vegetables will help you stay hydrated longer during is a great opportunity not only to purify the soul, but also the for long hours helps the body get rid of toxins. Not eating or drinking during fasting hours gives the body's various organs a chance to cleanse the toxins already present in the body, instead of being busy digesting and getting rid of food. This year, the world is witnessing a moment of astronomical coincidence. The first of Ramadan in the Hijri calendar coincides with March 1, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar, according to Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Science
- Zawya
'Ramadan 1 likely to coincide with March 1, 2025'
JEDDAH — This year, the world is witnessing a moment of astronomical coincidence, as the first of Ramadan in the Hijri calendar coincides with March 1, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar astronomically, according to Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society. He said that the Hijri calendar is based on the lunar cycle, as each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. The Hijri year consists of 354 or 355 days, which makes it about 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian year. The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar that depends on the earth's rotation on its axis around the sun, and its number of days is 365 or 366 in a leap year such as 2024, which affects its synchronization with the Hijri calendar. Abu Zahra pointed out that since the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian year, the Hijri months gradually recede in the Gregorian calendar by 10 to 12 days annually. As a result, the Hijri months pass through all the seasons of the year during a cycle of approximately 33 years. "The precise synchronization - as in the case of Ramadan 1, 1446 corresponding to March 1, 2025 - only occurs when the lunar and solar cycles are in harmony, and this alignment reflects the mathematical and astronomical precision in the movement of the moon and the earth. Such synchronization does not occur often, but it returns in a similar way approximately every 33 years, albeit in different months," he said while noting that this unique phenomenon in 2025 is an important reminder of the flexibility and change of time. "This also highlights the compatibility between the astronomical cycles on which all calendar systems are built," he added. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
