The United Arab Emirates, with its modern skyscrapers and vibrant urban nightlife, showcases the rapid evolution fueled by its oil wealth over recent decades. This transformation has positioned the nation as a significant center for business and tourism. However, amidst this development, a crucial aspect of the region’s cultural heritage—viewing the stars in their full glory—has largely faded away.
Impact of Light Pollution
The UAE is recognized as one of the most light-polluted nations globally, joining other Gulf states where a majority of the population resides in bustling cities. A 2016 scientific study revealed that 99% of Emiratis cannot see the Milky Way from their homes due to excessive artificial lighting. This artificial glow results from streetlights, extravagant displays like the LED shows at Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, and ambitious projects such as a $1.7 billion Sphere planned for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
Recognizing the challenges posed by light pollution, Abu Dhabi implemented a Dark Sky Policy in 2024, aimed at addressing lighting practices throughout the emirate. Despite Dubai’s burgeoning LED displays and billboards, it is home to areas like Al Qudra Lakes, which offer a reprieve from the main sources of light pollution. However, city officials have not publicly commented on the ongoing concerns regarding artificial illumination.
Seeking Darkness in Al Quaa Desert
Contrasting the bright city lights, Al Quaa Desert remains a refuge for stargazers. Located roughly 60 miles southeast of Abu Dhabi, it is accessible via major highways leading to the oasis city of Al Ain. While travelers encounter overhead lighting along the roads, the desert offers an expansive darkness free from urban distractions. After navigating Razeen Road, which leads into the desert, visitors are greeted by pure night.
Once there, volunteers from the Dubai Astronomy Group gathered diverse participants, including families, eager to experience the night sky. The serene environment, coupled with the anticipation of clear skies, sets the stage for a re-connection with the stars. While some locals camped nearby, a curious camel spider exhibited nature’s unpredictability amid the stargazing activities, reminding everyone of the ecological richness surrounding them.
Experiencing the Night Sky
During an evening skywatching event, participants from various backgrounds, including Arabic, English, and Russian speakers, spread out on carpets and gazed upward. As the half-moon sank below the horizon, the ethereal outline of the Milky Way gradually revealed itself. Sheeraz Awan, the Dubai Astronomy Group’s general manager, skillfully pointed out celestial features, inciting responses of wonder from attendees.
As meteors glided across the sky, gasps of awe filled the desert air. Families took turns viewing through telescopes and learning to capture the Milky Way with their mobile devices. For a fleeting moment, they connected with the universe above, mirroring the night-time experiences of their Bedouin ancestors.
With the event winding down, attendees returned to their vehicles, leaving behind the tranquility of the desert for the illuminated highways of the UAE. This excursion allowed them to once again acknowledge the cosmic beauty that has inspired generations, highlighting that engaging with the night sky is a timeless human experience that transcends time and place.