fazTimes media: Great news for stargazers in the UAE! You can now see our galaxy, the Milky Way, in the night sky. Some people also call it the Galactic River. You'll be able to spot its main band of stars and its bright center late at night.

According to Ahmed Hassan, who knows a lot about space and takes amazing pictures of it at the Dubai Astronomy Group, the best place to see the Milky Way is Al Qua'a in Abu Dhabi. It's the darkest spot closest to most cities in the country.

He said that after you leave the paved road, there's a small dirt path that leads to an open area perfect for looking at the stars. He also suggests parking next to the path and walking a little bit into the sand to avoid the lights from cars and any dust.

You can see the Milky Way in the UAE skies from May all the way to October. The brightest and clearest view of its center will be in July and August.

According to the Al Bayan newspaper, Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, who is the head of the Emirates Astronomical Society, said that "summer nights are the best time to see the Milky Way, especially from May to August. The galaxy's core is visible in the sky during this time, and July gives the clearest view."

Al Jarwan explained that the Milky Way looks like a curved line of stars stretching from the northeast to the southwest. The part between the constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius is the most crowded with stars because the center of our galaxy is in that direction.

Here's a simple guide to when you can see it best:

Month	First Appearance	Core Best Seen Around	Notes
May	12 am	4 am	Start of the season, nice night temperatures
June	11 pm	3:30 am	Good balance of heat and darkness
July	10 pm	Midnight	Core is right overhead!
August	8:30 pm	2 am	Dark skies line up with the end of twilight
September	7 pm	12:30 am	Great for families, shorter nights
October	6 pm	10 pm	Last chance to see it this season

How to Get the Best View:

Ahmed also gave some tips for the best viewing: "You need a clear sky with no clouds, no moon in the sky, not much wind, and not too much dust. The best time is after a little rain, which cleans the air. You should also get away from city lights."

He advises trying to travel at least 35 kilometers away from the lights of cities to reduce light pollution.

"Arrive early so your eyes can get used to the dark. Bring some basic things you might need, go with a group of people, and use red flashlights so you don't lose your night vision. Once you find a quiet, dark spot, just look up and enjoy the amazing view of the Milky Way stretching across the sky," he added.

How to See It:

Ahmed said that you can actually see the Milky Way with just your eyes after about 20 minutes in the dark, you don't even need a telescope!

But if you want to see more details, you can try these:

Use binoculars to see groups of stars and clouds of gas and dust (nebulae).
Use a camera with a wide lens on a tripod (a stand for your camera).
Use a modern smartphone with a night mode, making sure it's on a stable surface.

Al Jarwan also said, "To see it well or take pictures, choose a night when there's a new moon or just a tiny sliver of moon, and stay away from city lights."

Stargazers are also advised to use a sky map app on their phones to find the Scorpius constellation in the southeast. The Milky Way is right next to it!

Good Tips for Your Trip:

Go with a group and take two cars, just in case.
Tell someone which way you're going.
Bring water and some basic supplies.
Check your car's fuel and tires before you go.
Use red flashlights to keep your night vision good.
Avoid playing music or using bright lights to keep the area quiet and dark.

So, get ready to look up and see the amazing beauty of our galaxy right here in the UAE! 🌌🔭

Reported by FazTimes Media.

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