Look up at the night sky and – if you’re in any major city, including in the UAE – chances are you won’t see much.
Light pollution has severely dampened the overhead scene, leaving little besides a few stranded stars and what looks like a celestial body or two that, on closer examination, reveal themselves to be nothing more than passing planes.
As such, it is easy to come to the conclusion that the sky above is an unexciting, lustreless expanse. But that’s far from the truth and one astrophotographer is out to reveal just how starry the UAE’s nights can be.
Through his work, Egyptian-Syrian artist Samy Olabi highlights the overlooked natural wonders of the country, showing that there's more to the UAE besides its luminous cityscapes and sandy deserts. His photo series, Heavens and Earth, captures rocky mountainsides canopied by star-spotted skies, bodies of water reflecting the arc of the Milky Way, and lone trees flanked by deep purple nebulae.
"It began in 2012 as a way to escape the daily stresses of my day-to-day job in construction and project management," Olabi says of the project, which was featured in the 2021 Xposure International Photography Festival that took place in Sharjah this month. The astrophotographer takes weekly excursions out of Dubai, where he lives, and into the deserts or mountains, trying to identify the best places from which to photograph the night sky.
Over time, Olabi’s photography skills, as well as his instinct for recognising a good vantage point, have developed. “Nobody taught me directly,” he says. “I didn’t take any courses. It was just through practice. Also, the internet is a major source of inspiration and knowledge.”
Location is vital, he says. “It should be away from street lights and buildings. In fact, you should be at least 100 kilometres from cities.
"Another important factor is the weather You have to study the weather forecast from a professional perspective. So it's not just about looking at a mobile app. You have to study humidity and dust levels. You have to take into consideration whether there's a high cloud or low cloud."
The phases of the Moon also play a vital role in determining the quality of a photograph, with darker nights usually providing more ideal conditions for astrophotography. "The perfect chance to shoot a good picture comes around the new moon phase," he explains. "So a few days before or after the new moon."
The perfect chance to shoot a good picture comes around the new moon phase
With there being so many obstacles to star visibility, Olabi says he tries to make the most of the few trips he takes every month. For instance, instead of relying on a single camera, Olabi has devised a set-up whereby he can have three cameras taking photos at the same time, so that by the end of the night he has thrice the amount of material to work with.
"With this set-up, I can take time-lapse videos, I can take behind-the-scenes footage and I can shoot the sky," he says. "My car is practically a camp and an observatory."
Even after he returns home, Olabi works hard on producing the perfect final images. The post-processing aspect is an integral but sensitive phase of astrophotography, he says. Too much can result in aninauthentic photograph, while too little can leave it looking a bit dull.
“In astrophotography, you have to keep taking lots and lots of images for just one photograph. The aim is to get as much detail as possible. So this will require a lot of stacking. Any picture you see is a stacking of a hundred images taken over multiple nights. Still, even with post-processing, you have to maintain the image as is. Some people over-process, taking the easiest path. That’s why sometimes you see shiny astrophotography on Instagram that seems more like a dream than a real photograph.”
Olabi has achieved success with his methods over the past decade, having worked with brands such as Nikon, CNN and BBC. His photographs were also used as background images on Apple and Microsoft operating systems. Yet the astrophotographer says he didn't want to limit the scope of his work by only publishing them in magazines and on social media. Ultimately, he saw the potential for Heavens and Earth to be used as an educational resource for those who wanted to get closer to the starlit heavens.
So, in 2018, he began developing an approach to enhance how his works are interacted with. He started taking wide panorama shots with the intent of developing 360° images and videos, which could be viewed through virtual reality headsets. The installation was featured during Olabi's exhibition at the Xposure International Photography Festival.
“I got more fascinated with the project after the coronavirus pandemic hit,” he says. “I started seeing people longing to come out of the lockdown and seeing things they no longer had access to.”
The project, Olabi says, inspired him to leave his job in the construction sector to pursue a full-time career as an astrophotographer. He even started his own company, Olabi Photography and Media Solutions, which focuses on bringing the art form to virtual reality.
The company’s website aims to bring three-dimensional interactivity to a desktop computer or smartphone, where, without having to use a VR headset, users can flick through the UAE’s night skies or navigate them using a mouse. “Basically the website is like you’re stepping into a portal and from there you can choose what area of the UAE you want to visit, and once there, you’ll see a sky fully mapped and labelled. It’s like visiting a planetarium.”
Next, Olabi says he wants to create a more immersive experience to allow people to be fully enveloped by his astrophotography. "I want to have a large 360° hall, where people can set into and be surrounded by the works without the need for a VR headset." His projects, he says, have the potential to be used in a number of research settings.
“I am already approaching cultural, governmental entities that could help put the work in its proper perspective I’m looking for organisations to collaborate with and help me make this into a bigger project.”
More information and images are available at www.heavensearth.ae
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Brackets denote aggregate score
Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm
Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm
Spec%20sheet
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
SQUADS
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company%20Profile
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