Folks in the State of Qatar and the Arab region are poised to witness the phenomenon of the star Antares (the Heart of the Scorpion) reaching its closest apparent point to the Moon twice this August.
They can, likewise, observe this celestial phenomenon during this period by gazing at the southern horizon after sunset, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) has reported.
Astronomy expert at QCH, Dr. Bashir Marzouq, stated that the star Antares will appear next to the Moon for the first time during August on the evening of Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.
People in Qatar can enjoy beholding Antares and the Moon together with the naked eye, high on the southern horizon of Qatar’s sky after sunset on Monday, and until before Antares sets, Dr. Marzouq highlighted.
It is noted that the sunset time on Monday will be at 6:18 p.m., while Antares is expected to set at 12:19 a.m. local Doha time.
Dr. Marzouq further elucidated that, as for the evening of Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, the star will converge with the Moon for the second time during August, with an angular separation of approximately one degree.
Folks in Qatar can enjoy gazing at Antares and the Moon together with the naked eye high on the southwestern horizon of Qatar’s sky from sunset on Sunday at 5:55 p.m., while Antares is expected to set at 10:33 p.m. local Doha time, he continued.
Overall, Marzouq highlighted that the very significance of these celestial phenomena lies in the fact that it is a good opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the astronomical calculations used to determine the orbits of planets, stars, and the Moon, in addition to the opportunity to enjoy beholding and photographing the Moon and the star Antares together at their closest point in the sky.
These celestial phenomena, he said, serve as a guide for astronomy enthusiasts and those interested in identifying the celestial bodies they observe in Qatar’s skies.
