30/05/2026
time to sign up and become a pro
Emirates Astronomical Observatory
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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Emirates Astronomical Observatory, Public & Government Service, Emirates Astronomical Observatory, Abu Dhabi.
Emirates Astronomical Observatory (EAO) is a one of a kind observatory resort project in collaboration with the government of Abudhabi to increase awareness of Astronomy and astrophotography in the country.
30/05/2026
The Milky Way season is officially here.
On 6 June, we will host a structured, hands-on Milky Way Photography Workshop under true dark skies at Emirates Astronomical Observatory.
The session begins at 7:30 PM in our air-cooled classroom where we cover:
• Equipment selection
• Camera setup
• Composition and framing
• Understanding light pollution and moon phases
• Image processing workflow
At 9:30 PM, we move outdoors for the practical field session.
The Milky Way will be visible from 9:00 PM, with moonrise only at 12:00 AM giving us an ideal dark sky window for shooting.
This workshop is led by Meshal Almutairi, owner of Emirates Astronomical Observatory, guiding participants step-by-step from preparation to final image.
Requirements:
Camera
Wide and fast lens
Tripod
Extra batteries
(shutter remote controller is preferrable)
4x4 vehicle is recommended but not mandatory.
No participants under 12 years old.
Cold drinks will be provided.
Toilet facilities available.
Certificate of participation included.
Limited to 20 participants only.
AED 500 per person.
Secure your seat through the link in our BIO
Full details of the workshop available on our website
22/05/2026
This summer, something big is coming to Emirates Astronomical Observatory.
We are revamping the entire experience with new astronomy activities, workshops, astrophotography sessions, deep sky exploration, planetary observing, and kid camps throughout June, July, and August.
Whether you are a beginner, enthusiast, photographer, or simply someone who loves the night sky, EAO is preparing a summer filled with unforgettable experiences under the stars.
Keep an eye out on our account as we roll out the schedules 😁🔭
17/05/2026
5381 Sekhmet captured in motion☄️
5381 Sekhmet is a near-Earth asteroid orbiting our solar system at incredible speed. Discovered by Carolyn Shoemaker on May 14, 1991and was officially named after the Egyptian goddess of war.
In this reel, you can clearly see its movement against the background stars through a sequence of tracked exposures.
Imaging and measuring asteroids like this helps contribute valuable positional data to the Minor Planet Center, improving orbital calculations and long-term tracking of near-Earth objects.
Would you be interested in learning how asteroid imaging and tracking is actually done? 🔭
15/05/2026
On May 5, 2026, Emirates Astronomical Observatory successfully captured a rare stellar occultation by the dwarf planet Haumea, one of the most distant known worlds in our solar system, located far beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt.
A stellar occultation occurs when a solar system object passes directly in front of a background star, temporarily blocking its light. By precisely measuring the drop in brightness over time, astronomers can study the object’s size, shape, possible rings, and even detect hidden moons.
The event required careful planning and timing precision. Using Stellarium and published occultation predictions, the target star coordinates and exact event timing were verified in advance to ensure the observatory system was synchronized for the narrow observation window.
To maximize photometric precision, exposure calculations were optimized around the brightness of the target star and the expected duration of the occultation. We selected 5-second exposures at Gain 0 on the Moravian C3-61000 monochrome camera to maximize the sensor’s full well capacity and preserve dynamic range during the rapid brightness transition.
The observation was carried out using the following scientific imaging system:
• Planewave CDK14 with reducer
• Moravian C3-61000 Mono (Sony IMX455 sensor)
• Luminance filter
• 10Micron GM2000 mount with high-precision encoder tracking
• Lunatico Dragonfly observatory controller
Image acquisition was automated and synchronized using N.I.N.A, allowing stable continuous imaging throughout the event. The resulting frames were then processed and analyzed in AstroImageJ, where differential photometry was used to generate the final light curve.
The recorded light curve clearly shows the dramatic drop in stellar brightness as Haumea passed in front of the star, followed by the recovery phase as the star re-emerged. Observations like these demonstrate how modern amateur and private observatories can contribute meaningful scientific data to planetary science and occultation research.
02/05/2026
For less than 60 seconds… a distant world will erase a star. 🌌
On May 5, 2026 (00:15 AM UAE time), the dwarf planet Haumea will pass in front of a background star in a rare stellar occultation event.
This isn’t just something to watch — it’s something you can measure.
Even a single observation can contribute to real science:
✔ Refining orbital accuracy
✔ Studying shape & structure
✔ Detecting rings and features
At Emirates Astronomical Observatory, we’ll be capturing this event using our flagship setup:
🔭 PlaneWave CDK14
📷 Moravian C3-61000 Pro
And you can too.
Whether you’re an amateur or experienced observer, this is your chance to be part of a global scientific campaign.
📍 Check if you’re in the path
🕗 Prepare your setup
📡 Capture the data
Because sometimes… the smallest moments reveal the biggest discoveries.
Scientific details can be found in the link below:
https://lesia.obspm.fr/lucky-star/occ.php?p=156331
02/03/2026
دعوة خاصة لأبطالنا ❤️
المرصد يرحب بكم مجانًا!
دخول مجاني لجميع منتسبي خط الدفاع الأول، القطاع العسكري، والدفاع المدني..
كل اللي عليك: تقدم بطاقتك العسكرية وتدخل، والباقي علينا!
شكرًا لتضحياتكم اللي ما تنتهي.. تعالوا نستقبلكم بكل فخر 🇦🇪💪
23/11/2025
✨ A sky sanctuary in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
From our main observatory and domes to 11 private observatory pods, solar deck, training center and more than 5 telescopes for amateurs to use — this is the Emirates Astronomical Observatory from above.
Open every night after sunset until 1AM.
Visit us. Explore the cosmos. The sky is yours. 🌌
31/08/2025
✨ Witness the magic of the skies! ✨
Join us at the Emirates Astronomical Observatory next Sunday at 7:00 PM for a spectacular lunar eclipse. 🌕🔭
🌘 The eclipse will unfold gradually through the evening — a rare chance to see Earth’s shadow dance across the Moon! Perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves the night sky.
👨👩👧 Family-friendly evening
🔭 Observatory telescopes ready for you
🥤 Complimentary soft drinks & water
🚻 Toilets available
🎟️ Entry: 55 AED per adult
👧 Kids 10 & under: FREE
📍 Location: Emirates Astronomical Observatory (find us on Google Maps or via the link in our bio)
Don’t miss this chance to connect with the universe so make it a date with the stars! ✨🌌
LINK IN OUR BIO
04/07/2025
🌌✨ Tracking the cosmic wanderer! 📸
We captured asteroid 2012 ML6 using our CDK14 telescope and QHY600 mono camera, taking 15 exposures of 30 seconds each.
We then Analyzed the data with Tycho Tracker, then sent the data to the Minor Planet Center with our observatory code M69.
This Apollo-class NEA, ~0.254-0.568 km wide, will pass within 14,258,216 km of Earth on June 29, 2025!
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Emirates Astronomical Observatory
Abu Dhabi