Abu Dhabi, UAE – Dubai Astronomy Group in collaboration with Samsung Gulf Electronics, invites you to witness one of the most breathtaking celestial phenomena of the year as the Milky Way season officially begins in the UAE. The Milky Way Stargazing Event will take place on May 16, 2026, from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM at the darkest spot in the UAE, Al Quaa Desert.

As the region enters prime viewing season, stargazers will have a rare opportunity to observe the bright, dense core of our home galaxy under the darkest skies in the country, far from urban light pollution.

“The Milky Way is always above us, but during this time of the year is when the galactic core becomes optimally positioned for observation in our night sky ,” said Sheeraz Ahmad Awan, General Manager of Dubai Astronomy Group. “It’s a powerful reminder of our place in the universe, almost like looking back at our origin story.”

This seasonal window, which runs from May through October, offers the clearest views of the galaxy’s structure, including glowing star clouds, dark dust lanes, and nebulae concentrated toward the galactic center.

A Season Worth Watching And Capturing

In collaboration with Samsung, this year’s event introduces a new dimension to the stargazing experience, the ability to capture the galaxy with unprecedented clarity using smartphone technology.

Through the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, guests will be introduced to Samsung’s advanced Astro Mode, designed specifically for low-light and night-sky photography. The feature utilizes long-exposure imaging, AI-powered enhancements, and noise reduction to produce detailed images of celestial objects that were once only possible with professional equipment.

Guests will also have the opportunity to test select Samsung devices on-site and take part in a guided session led by a Samsung expert, offering practical insights into capturing the Milky Way using accessible, everyday technology.

Milky Way image captured during the 2025 Dubai Astronomy Group Milky Way Stargazing events.

FAQs About the Milky Way Season

So Wait What Exactly Is the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy containing an estimated 100–400 billion stars, along with gas, dust, and dark matter. Our Solar System is located within one of its outer spiral arms, approximately 25,000 light-years from the galactic center.
From Earth, it appears as a faint, glowing band across the night sky. This glow is the combined light of billions of distant stars concentrated along the galactic plane, with its brightest region located toward the constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius, where the galactic core resides.
Under dark-sky conditions, this region reveals visible structure, including star clouds, dust lanes, and nebulae.

Milky Way image captured by Gold Paint Photography in Arches National Park

When and How Can You See the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is visible in the UAE from May to October, with visibility strongly dependent on sky darkness, timing, and location.

To observe it clearly, three key conditions must align:

• Dark skies far from city light pollution
• No or minimal moonlight (preferably around new moon phases)
• Clear atmospheric conditions with low dust or humidity

The galactic core becomes progressively more visible during the season:

• May–June: Rises after midnight, visible in early morning hours
• July–August: Peak visibility (highest and brightest in the sky)
• September–October: Visible earlier in the evening before setting

During peak months, the Milky Way appears as a wide, arcing band stretching across the sky, often referred to as the “Galactic River.”

Milky Way image captured with our astronomer Mahmmood Hasan Ahmad during the 2025 Dubai Astronomy Group Milky Way Stargazing events.

Where to View the Milky Way? The Reality of Light Pollution

The visibility of the Milky Way is highly dependent on one critical factor: light pollution.

In many areas, artificial lighting brightens the night sky to the point where the galaxy is no longer visible to the naked eye, even on clear nights.

Astronomers often refer to the Bortle Scale, a system that measures night sky darkness from Class 1 (pristine dark skies) to Class 9 (bright urban skies). In higher Bortle classes found in cities, the Milky Way is completely washed out by skyglow, while in darker environments it becomes increasingly visible as a faint, structured band across the sky.

To truly experience the Milky Way, observers must travel to dark-sky locations, where artificial light is minimal and the natural contrast of the night sky is preserved. In these conditions, the galaxy gradually reveals itself as the eyes adapt to darkness.

The event will take place at Al Quaa Desert, one of the darkest accessible locations in the UAE, offering some of the best conditions for observing the Milky Way.

It is also important to set realistic expectations: the Milky Way will not appear as it does in long-exposure photographs. Cameras can capture faint colors and details that the human eye cannot fully perceive in low light. To the naked eye, it appears as a soft, milky band of light with subtle structure that becomes clearer with full dark adaptation.

What to Expect at the Event

Guests will be guided through an immersive night under the darkest skies in the UAE, with opportunities to observe deep-sky objects through high-powered telescopes, including star clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies, and planets such as Jupiter.

The Milky Way itself will be observed with the naked eye, while telescopes will reveal additional celestial details that are normally invisible under urban skies.

The program also includes a hands-on astrophotography experience, where attendees can explore how to capture the night sky using both DSLR cameras and smartphones.

In collaboration with Samsung, participants will be introduced to modern mobile astrophotography techniques using the Samsung Galaxy S26, including how to photograph the Milky Way and other night-sky features using advanced low-light imaging tools.

Throughout the night, expert-led sessions will combine observation, education, and practical experience, allowing guests to explore the night sky in a more interactive and meaningful way.

Event Details

• Date: May 16, 2026
• Time: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Location: Al Quaa Desert
• Registration: https://dubaiastronomy.com/event/milky-way-stargazing
• Ticket Pricing: AED 200 - 150

Event Program

• 10:00 PM – Event Opening & Guest Arrival
• 10:15 PM – Introduction to the Night Sky
• 10:30 PM – Guided Sky Mapping Session
• 10:50 PM – Samsung Mobile Astrophotography Introduction
• 11:15 PM – Astrophotography Basics
• 11:45 PM – Hands-on Photography Session
• Throughout the Night – Telescope Observations (deep-sky objects)
• 2:00 AM – Event Closing

What Should You Bring?

• Seating or blankets for comfort (mats will be provided)
• Comfortable clothing suitable for desert night conditions (closed/sports shoes are highly recommended)
• Don’t forget your cameras and tripods if you’d like to capture stunning astrophotography (optional)
• Feel free to bring food if desired (snacks, water, tea, and coffee will be available at the event).

A clear night sky is becoming increasingly rare, yet it remains one of the most powerful ways to reconnect with our place in the universe. The Milky Way Stargazing Experience invites the public to step away from city lights and witness the galaxy as it naturally appears above the UAE’s desert skies.

Image captured during the Dubai Astronomy Group Stargazing events (CEO Mr. Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri).

Registration and Contact

To reserve a spot at the Milky Way Stargazing Experience:
https://dubaiastronomy.com/event/milky-way-stargazing

For inquiries and interviews and more images:

Whatsapp number:  +971 4 221 6603
Email: astro@dubaiastronomy.com