The XMM-Newton telescope consists of two major X-ray instruments: the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) and the Reflecting Grating Spectrometers (RGS). EPIC is carrying a set of three X-ray CCD cameras, a PN camera, and two MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) cameras, all operating in the 0.3−12 keV energy range.

Thursday, 04 February 2021 11:02

A Glimpse of Strengthening - Solar Cycle 25

The figure on the left shows the critical frequencies of different ionospheric layers plotted against their virtual heights, as observed by the SAASST ionosonde over 24 hours starting from midnight on February 02, 2021, while the figure on the right shows a similar plot generated for data collected during the same period in 2020.

During January 2021, no major sunspots appeared on the Sun surface like during November and December 2020. There were no geomagnetic storms either. Only one major solar event was detected by the SAASST “Decametric Radio telescope (DRT)” on January 8th when a huge filament of magnetized materials was ejected by the Sun, but it missed Earth as NOAA reports. The DRT detected a series of minor solar radio bursts (micro solar radio storms) with typical solar radio emission patterns but with very low intensities. This unexpected short quiet Sun phase will not last for an extended period. The Solar Cycle 25th had already started, and we expect the Sun to be active again in the upcoming months.

The UAE Meteor Monitoring Network started the year 2021 with a low-to-moderate detection number compared to the previous two years. The Sharjah tower observed 106 meteors, Al-Yahar 174, and Liwa 254, leading to 534 meteor detections for the whole month of January 2021.

As part of its program to enhance astronomy education, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology organized a special lecture on the “Sharjah Decametric Radio Telescope” on Jan. 27, 2021. The lecture was given by Mr. Mohamed Rihan, a research assistant at the “Radio Astronomy Laboratory”. The lecturer presented the importance of the decametric astronomical observations conducted worldwide.

As part of its program to enhance astronomy education, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology organized a special lecture on the “Sharjah Optical Observatory” on Jan. 25, 2021. The lecture was given by Mr. Mohamed Talafha, the main observer at the Sharjah Optical Astronomy Observatory. Mr. Talafha described the observatory optical system, composed of three main telescopes: a 17-inch reflecting telescope for deep-sky observations, an 18-cm refracting telescopes for the Moon planetary observation, and a 10-cm refracting solar telescope. The observatory has a long schedule of observations of stars systems, exoplanets, asteroids, and extragalactic sources. The observatory has a long story of organizing bi-weekly open houses for the general public to initiate them to the world of astronomy. We hope for these open houses to resume once the pandemic is over.

In a valuable addition to the progress of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) at the University of Sharjah in enhancing scientific and research capabilities. A research team published an important scientific study focuses on the data of the Space Telescope Gaia. The study shows a contradiction between the observations of Gaia and Hipparcos space telescopes. It also shows an error in Gaia’s results related to binary stellar distance measurements (parallaxes), which in its turn affect the accuracy of scientific studies and research in this field. Techniques developed at SAASST were used in studying and discovering these contradictions.

President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences:

The Sharjah Astronomical Observatory Achievements solidify the Sharjah Academy's position for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology at the University of Sharjah as a vital player in developing the UAE space sector. These achievements emphasize its role in supporting the global scientific and research fields.

Monday, 25 January 2021 00:59

Machine Learning Applications in Astronomy

As part of its program to enhance astronomy education, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology organized a special lecture on “Machine Learning Applications in Astronomy” on Jan. 18, 2021. The lecture was given by Ms. Aisha Al-Owais, a research assistant at the Meteorite Center. Data size in astronomy is becoming large and very intricate. The development of data-driven science as a useful companion to the typical model-

The Sharjah Astronomical Observatory at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) of the University of Sharjah monitored and analyzed the exoplanet (HAT-P-9b) during January 2021.  This is part of its periodic observations of this exoplanet that started back in 2018. The results of these observations are published periodically on global websites specialized in this field of astronomical research.