Database: Stargazing
Stargazing, the observation of the sky—especially the stars and the moon—has played a fundamental role in oasis and caravan cultures. The lunar cycle marks the months and the passage of time, while the brightest stars provide crucial guidance for orientation and travel across desert landscapes. Valued since antiquity, astronomy experienced a flourishing period during the Islamic Golden Age, in the 8th-13th centuries, with significant advances in observation, measurement, and calculation, symbolized by the refinement and widespread adoption of the astrolabe. Today, observing the night sky has become more challenging due to light pollution, which increasingly affects our environment.
Recently awarded Dark Sky Certification, AlUla offers a unique opportunity to contemplate the night sky as it was experienced for thousands of years before the invention of electricity.