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Posts tagged as “Space”

Riyadh City as Seen on Space

October 19, 2024

European Space Agency;

Situated in the central region of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh serves as the nation’s legislative, financial, administrative, diplomatic and commercial hub, home to over seven million inhabitants.

Covering an area of around 1550 sq km, the city sits at approximately 600 m above sea level on the eastern part of the Najd plateau in the Arabian Peninsula. Like much of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has a desert climate with extreme summer temperatures that can reach up to 50°C.

The image prominently features the city’s grid-like street system, which consists of square blocks measuring around two km one each side, forming an extensive network across the urban landscape.

Earth from Space: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

It’s hard to get lost when you know that you will always end up on same road if you keep turning right. Also, as beautiful as this picture, the photo of Riyadh at night that NASA released in 2012 is much dramatic and detailed.

Why Eclipses Are Such a Big Deal?

April 8, 2024

Just hours earlier, the world had its first solar eclipse. This phenomenon is a natural occurrence where the moon occludes the sun’s light, casting a shadow that can be seen in parts of the world. In some areas, the sun completely blocks out the light, leaving only a halo of light called the corona. Other times, there’s a partial solar eclipse, leaving a crescent of light that evokes the mysterious.

Residents of Texas to Ohio and all the way up to Main will enjoy a full view of the total solar eclipse. The day completely turns dark as the moon and sun come together to become a celestial wonder.

Several videos on social media show the event. Luckily for those who see it in person, they will get to enjoy this and won’t see a total solar eclipse again for another 20 or more years.

But why are solar eclipses such a big deal? It’s mostly people’s appreciation of a cosmic event. It turns out some cultures in the world celebrate it for more than its rarity.

The Navajo tribe in North America view solar eclipses as a time of sacredness, rebirth, and renewal for the cosmic bodies. During this time, the Navajo people reflect quietly inside their homes. Some of them forego food, water, and all activities until the event is over.

For some religions, it’s either a bad omen or a good one. For the Hindu, the variety of beliefs surrounding eclipses result in different activities. Some Hindu either venerate the event, and some believe the eclipse brings negative energies.

It’s not only people and their traditions that change during a solar eclipse. Even animals have a change in behavior during an eclipse, especially if their environment is on the path of totality.

Studies that include anecdotal evidence have shown that the majority of the species of birds become quiet and stop feeding during the event. Other people have reported seeing increased activity from mosquitoes, and nocturnal animals come out of burrows to hunt. The same cannot be said for domesticated dogs and cats.

Whether you’re praying in a temple in India, or have flown to Dallas, or just staying at home with your pets, it’s always best to be safe. To truly appreciate the beauty of this cosmic union, make use of appropriate protective lenses.

Saudi Astronaut Ali Alqarni shares image of Riyadh from the International Space Station

May 29, 2023

Saudi Astronaut Ali Alqarni who went to the International Space Station (ISS) last 22nd of May via Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission, just a picture of Riyadh from the International Space Station (ISS). The image is a photo of a shining Riyadh at night. Astrounaut Ali Alqarni also shared a picture of the flag of Saudi Arabia inside the ISS.

The Saudi Crew are currently conducting educational outreach and conduct innovative research experiments while in orbit. The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew are currently in orbit and are scheduled to return early June 2022.

Crew of Axiom Mission 2 checks in before their flight to the International Space Station

May 22, 2023

The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew checks in before their long flight to the International Space Station. The 4-man crew is composed of Saudi Nationals Rayyanah Barwani and Ali Alqarni joined by Americans commander Peggy Whitson and pilot John Shoffner.

From ArabNews;

Rayyanah Barwani, who is the first Arab woman to reach orbit, graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand with a BA in biomedical sciences, and obtained a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University.

Ali Alqarni graduated from King Faisal Air Academy with a BA in aeronautical science and obtained a diploma in aeronautical science from Vance Air Force Base in the US. He is a captain in the Royal Saudi Air Force with more than 12 years of experience as a jet pilot.

Mission commander Peggy Whitson is the most experienced, having three previous trips to the ISS under her belt and 665 days in space. John Shoffner will serve as the pilot of the Dragon crew vehicle. The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew is scheduled to reached the ISS on Monday morning at around 9:16AM ET and they will be in orbit for 10 days.

Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission is the second all-private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station. The Ax-2 crew will participate in educational outreach and conduct innovative research experiments while on the orbiting laboratory.