SAASST News (396)
SAASST Participates in the Global Aerospace Summit
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) participated in the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu-Dhabi between May 24-26, 2022. It was an occasion for SAASST to present its new research projects to the international and national aerospace community. It was also an opportunity to highlight the academy's role in promoting space sciences research in the United Arab Emirates and the MENA world. SAASST presented several new research projects in different areas: radio astronomy, GNSS, artificial intelligence, CubeSat technology, and Martian Aurora.
SAASST Participation in the 14th University of Sharjah Research Forum
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) participated in the University of Sharjah 14th Research Forum on May 18, 2022. As a result, SAASST presented four new research projects. This is part of SAASST's constant strive to be in front of the research vision of the United Arab Emirates. The four projects cover four key areas of research: radio astronomy, GNSS, artificial intelligence, and CubeSat technology:
UAEMMN Observation Report: Aquariids Meteor Shower Peak-2022
The UAE Meteor Monitoring Network (UAEMMN) observed 41 meteors during the Aquariids peak on the 4th and 5th May 2022. The histogram below illustrates the number of observations of meteors over four days, starting from the 3rd to the 6th of May. The detection rate increased by nine meteors between the 3rd and 4th, indicating the start or higher activity. On the 5th, it went up by 11 observations, with 26 meteors observed that night. However, by the early morning of the 5th, the observations dropped by 17 as the peak of the Aquariids shower had passed. Therefore, our data indicate that the Aquariids peak nights were on the 4th and 5th of May. On the 4th of May, the Moon phase was a waning crescent, only 2.97 days old with 10.99% sky illumination, rising at 7:57 and setting at 22:11, leading the UAEMMN system to have a beautiful dark canvas to observe through.
SAASST Visitors
During the week of May 09-12, 2022, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology has received several highly distinguished visitors from England and Germany:
SAASST Celebrates its 7th Anniversary on May 07
The concept of the Academy first began as an initiative that HE Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah and Director General of the Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences (SCASS), presented to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and former President of the University of Sharjah. As a result, his Highness provided Prof. Hamid the full authority to proceed forward with developing its infrastructure and directed the provision of the financial resources necessary. Through negotiations with international and local companies specializing in planetarium, the Sharjah Planetarium was constructed along with the exhibition halls and the optical astronomical observatory.
SAASST Lyrids Meteor Shower Observations
The UAE Meteor Monitoring Network (UAEMMN) observed 38 meteors during the Lyrids peak period from the 22nd until the 23rd of April 2022. There was an increase in meteor observation from April 22 to 24. The total number of meteors observed was 12, 22, 16, and 9 on April 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The UAEMMN data indicates that the peak nights were the 22nd and 23rd of April.
SAASST General Lecture Why Radio Astronomy? Prof. Ilias Fernini
Prof. Ilias Fernini, the Deputy-General Director for Research at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology, gave an online lecture on Apr. 27, 2022, “Why Radio Astronomy?” The lecture was about the importance of using the whole electromagnetic spectrum to understand the secrets of the Universe and, in particular, radio wavelengths.
SAASST General Lecture - The Story of the Cosmos Ms. Asma Hattawi
Ms. Asma Hattawi, a planetarium scientific guide at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology, gave an online lecture on Apr. 20, 2022, "The Story of the Cosmos." The lecture was about the theory of the Big Bang, the formation of the first elements, the expansion of the Universe, and the end.
SAASST General Lecture Globular vs. Open Clusters Prof. Mashhoor Al-Wardat
Prof. Mashhoor Al-Wardat, the Deputy General for Academics at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology, gave an online lecture on Apr. 13, 2022, "Globular vs. Open Clusters." Star clusters come in different morphologies, sizes, and the number of stars in them. They are groups of hundreds to millions of stars that provide astronomers crucial insight into stellar evolution by comparing stars' ages and compositions. Star clusters form out of large interstellar regions of gas and dust called molecular clouds. The densest areas of those molecular clouds collapse into themselves to form stars. In some cases, the stars disperse after their creation. However, if enough stars are formed close together, they may remain gravitationally bound and live as a star cluster.
SAASST Activities for April 2022 (Global Astronomy Month 2022)
Several activities are being planned for April 2022. This falls with the worldwide celebration of “Global Astronomy Month 2022.” This coincides with the holy month of Ramadhan, 1443 AH.
Every year in April, the world’s largest annual celebration of astronomy offers a unique demonstration of the power of the night sky to bring people together from around the world. Registered events organized by astronomy clubs, planetariums, and others, pop up on the world map in an array of countries that don’t usually come to mind when thinking of astronomy. GAM is an inspiring expression of the universal passion for
astronomy we all share, whoever or wherever we are.
The Minister of Science and the Director of the Space Agency of Malaysia Visit SAASST
The Honorable Dato' Sri Dr. Adham bin Baba, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Mr. Azlikamil bin Napiah, the Director-General of Malaysia Space Agency (MYSA), visited the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology on Mar. 29, 2022. Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, the University of Sharjah Vice-Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies greeted the Malaysian delegation at the academy. SAASST deputy general
Still Searching for Planet X Mr. Mohamed Hani Atoui
Mr. Mohamed Hani Atoui, a planetarium program developer at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology, gave an online lecture on Apr. 06, 2022, under the title “Still Searching for Planet X.” Since decades, astronomers have publicizing about such a planet.
Lunar Crescent Visibility Workshop
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) organized on Mar. 24, 2022, the second lunar Crescent visibility workshop under the theme “Determination of Ramadhan/Shawwal 1443 AH Using Astronomical Calculations.” HE Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, the Chancellor of the University of Sharjah and SAASST General Director, opened the workshop with the first lecture. Prof. Hamid emphasized using precise astronomical
UoS College of Sciences Social Event at SAASST
The College of Sciences of the University of Sharjah organized a wonderful social event at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology on Mar. 23, 2022. The event was an occasion for faculty members and students to get together and enjoy an unforgettable journey through space. The academy, through its staff, presented a series of activities, such as a sunspot observation session and short presentations about the different
SAASST General Lecture - Space Robotics by Maryam Essa sharif
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) organized a general lecture about “Space Robotics” on Mar. 23, 2022. The lecture was given by Mrs. Maryam Essa Sharif, a research assistant from the Meteorite Center. Robotics is an integral part of our daily life, and when it comes to space exploration, they are a must.
A delegation from the Medical School of the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) Visits SAASST
A delegation for the Medical School and Health Sciences of the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) visited the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) on Mar. 23, 2022. Prof. Charles ffrench-Constant, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, was part of the delegation along with other faculty members of the same faculty.
The President of Estonia Visit to SAASST
His Excellency, the President of Estonia, Prof. Alar Karis, visited the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology on Mar. 21, 2022. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the President of the University of Sharjah, received Prof. Alar Karis, along with Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, the Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, and SAASST directors. Prof. Alar is an Estonian molecular geneticist, developmental biologist, civil servant, and politician
HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi Meets Students from the Harvard Kennedy School
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the President of the University of Sharjah, met, on Mar. 18, 2022, a group of students from the Harvard Kenney School (JFK School of Government). The meeting was organized at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST). The students are part of the course DPI-442M, Classroom-in-the-Field (Leadership and Social Transformation – The Intersection between Development and
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Swiss Delegation Visits SAASST
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) was visited by a Swiss delegation composed of the following:
The Italy Office of Astronomy Education Visit to SAASST
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) was visited by a delegation from the Italy Office of Astronomy Education on Mar. 14, 2022. The delegation was composed of:
UoS/SAASST Attend a Round-Table Discussion on Astronomy Education at Expo 2020
HE Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, the Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, and the Director-General of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), was invited for a round-table discussion about astronomy education in the United Arab Emirates. The Italian Office of Astronomy Education organized the round-table meeting at the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020. Prof. Ilias Fernini, the SAASST Deputy General Director for
HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi SAASST Visit
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the President of the University of Sharjah, visited the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space and Technology on Mar. 13, 2022. The visit was part of a meeting with the University of Sharjah's different students' organizations to discuss their concerns and suggestions for better student life at the campus. Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, the Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, received HE Sheikh Sultan along
Colombian Delegation Visits SAASST
A Colombian delegation composed of several business leaders and university rectors and professors visited the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) on Mar. 09, 2022. Mr. Esteban Cabrejo from the Arab Colombian Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Tarek Merabtene, the Director of the Office for International Relations at the University of Sharjah, arranged the visit.
Prof. John Ellis Courtesy Visit to SAASST
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST) was honored to receive the visit of Prof. John Ellis from King's College of London on Mar. 09, 2022. John Ellis currently holds the Clerk Maxwell Professorship of Theoretical Physics at King's College in London. After his 1971 Ph.D. from Cambridge University, he worked at SLAC, Caltech, and CERN (Geneva), where he was Theory Division Leader for six years. His research interests