RIYADH: The Northern Borders region’s skies are illuminated during summer nights by the Milky Way’s arm, creating a striking celestial scene that stretches across the horizon as a faint luminous band dotted with millions of stars.
The phenomenon offers astronomy enthusiasts and photographers a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the year’s most spectacular celestial displays, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Astronomy and Space Club member Adnan Khalifa said mid-summer is among the best times to observe the Milky Way. During this period, the galaxy’s core and spiral arms become more visible at night, especially in desert areas far from light pollution.
Khalifa explained that the luminous band visible in the sky is part of the Milky Way galaxy, which contains hundreds of billions of stars.
He noted that Earth is located within one of the galaxy’s spiral arms, while its center appears near the southern horizon on summer nights. The view combines stars, nebulae, and star clusters in a remarkable celestial display.
Khalifa said that the visible section of the galaxy includes several prominent celestial formations and objects, most notably the Scorpius constellation, which is clearly visible during this period.
He also pointed to Antares, the bright red star at the heart of Scorpius, as one of the most distinctive features of the summer sky, alongside numerous nebulae and star clusters scattered across the galaxy.
Khalifa said that the clear atmosphere and vast open landscapes of the Northern Borders region enhance visibility, making it an ideal destination for astrophotography and astronomical observation during summer.
The appearance of the Milky Way in summer is one of the Kingdom’s most prominent seasonal astronomical phenomena. It attracts astronomy enthusiasts for its scientific and aesthetic significance and serves as a striking reminder of the scale and beauty of the universe.
