• On November 26 2020, an astronaut captured this photo of the northwest coastline of Saudi Arabia, home to 260 coral reef species. The image shows the Red Sea on the right, a lagoon in the middle and the coral reef on the left side. All photos courtesy of Earth Observatory at Nasa
    On November 26 2020, an astronaut captured this photo of the northwest coastline of Saudi Arabia, home to 260 coral reef species. The image shows the Red Sea on the right, a lagoon in the middle and the coral reef on the left side. All photos courtesy of Earth Observatory at Nasa
  • UAE’s first astronaut in space, Hazza Al Mansouri, captured this photo of the Emirates during his eight-day trip on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Hazza Al Mansouri Twitter
    UAE’s first astronaut in space, Hazza Al Mansouri, captured this photo of the Emirates during his eight-day trip on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Hazza Al Mansouri Twitter
  • Kuwait photographed from space during the night. The Arabian Gulf is on the top right side and the Kuwait Bay is on the left.
    Kuwait photographed from space during the night. The Arabian Gulf is on the top right side and the Kuwait Bay is on the left.
  • Thunderclouds march past the Al Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia on April 13, 2016. Nasa reported the storm clouds were likely related to the heavy rainfall and flooding in Yemen during that time.
    Thunderclouds march past the Al Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia on April 13, 2016. Nasa reported the storm clouds were likely related to the heavy rainfall and flooding in Yemen during that time.
  • An astronaut captured a photograph of the port city in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2017.
    An astronaut captured a photograph of the port city in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2017.
  • The Arabian Gulf photographed from the space station
    The Arabian Gulf photographed from the space station
  • A dusty atmosphere over central Saudi Arabia in 2014. The dunes in Riyadh are visible from space
    A dusty atmosphere over central Saudi Arabia in 2014. The dunes in Riyadh are visible from space
  • Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured an image of Dubai’s lights during the night. Courtesy: Scott Kelly Twitter
    Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured an image of Dubai’s lights during the night. Courtesy: Scott Kelly Twitter
  • A dust plume surging over the Red Sea and reaching Saudi Arabia in 2013. The Nile River is visible on the top left side of the image.
    A dust plume surging over the Red Sea and reaching Saudi Arabia in 2013. The Nile River is visible on the top left side of the image.
  • Turkish city of Istanbul at night
    Turkish city of Istanbul at night
  • The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island in Doha, is visible from space. An astronaut captured this photograph in 2017
    The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island in Doha, is visible from space. An astronaut captured this photograph in 2017
  • The city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia
    The city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia
  • The Levant region captured from space
    The Levant region captured from space
  • Es Safa, a basaltic volcanic field in southeast of Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2010. It is the largest volcanic field on the Arabian tectonic plate.
    Es Safa, a basaltic volcanic field in southeast of Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2010. It is the largest volcanic field on the Arabian tectonic plate.
  • Port of Aden in Yemen
    Port of Aden in Yemen
  • The Strait of Tiran, which separates the Gulf of Aqaba from the Red Sea, captured from space in 2013
    The Strait of Tiran, which separates the Gulf of Aqaba from the Red Sea, captured from space in 2013
  • The southeastern margin of the Empty Quarter, also known as the Ar Rub’ al Khali, in Oman. An astronaut took this photo in 2011
    The southeastern margin of the Empty Quarter, also known as the Ar Rub’ al Khali, in Oman. An astronaut took this photo in 2011
  • Lake Dukan, shaped almost like a Christmas tree, in Iraq photographed from space in 2018.
    Lake Dukan, shaped almost like a Christmas tree, in Iraq photographed from space in 2018.
  • A dust storm over the Arabian gulf in August, 2008
    A dust storm over the Arabian gulf in August, 2008
  • Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2013
    Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2013

Science

Twenty stunning images of the Middle East captured from space

Astronauts have sent back incredible pictures of the region for many years

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

May 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

From dramatic dunes and eye-catching lakes to coral reefs and huge dust storms, astronauts in space have been capturing the wonders of the Middle East for many years.

The Earth Observatory by Nasa has hundreds of images on its website taken from the International Space Station.

The UAE's first astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, also tweeted a selection of striking photos of his homeland and other countries in the region during his time in space.

Other spectacular snapshots show thunder clouds over Saudi Arabia, volcanic fields in Syria and dust storms sweeping across the Arabian Gulf.

The National has highlighted 20 picture-perfect scenes of the Middle East captured from space over the years.

“From their orbiting home on the International Space Station, astronauts have a view unlike anything most of us will ever see,” Nasa’s Earth Observatory said.

“In the past 20 years, they have shot millions of photographs, and it is not just a hobby. It is an important scientific job, and one they need to be trained to do.

“So, the astronauts and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing team work together before, during and after every mission to get the most out of every shot.”

Images captured by UAE satellite KhalifaSat - in pictures 

  • UAE satellite KhalifaSat captures a stunning image of Sharjah's largest mosque. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    UAE satellite KhalifaSat captures a stunning image of Sharjah's largest mosque. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • KhalifaSat captures Jebel Jais from space. Courtesy MBR Space Centre
    KhalifaSat captures Jebel Jais from space. Courtesy MBR Space Centre
  • A photo of Love Lake in Dubai taken by UAE-made satellite KhalifaSat. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    A photo of Love Lake in Dubai taken by UAE-made satellite KhalifaSat. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • An image of the Grand Mosque of Makkah was taken by KhalifaSat on the first day of Eid Al Adha during the 2019 Hajj pilgrimage. Wam
    An image of the Grand Mosque of Makkah was taken by KhalifaSat on the first day of Eid Al Adha during the 2019 Hajj pilgrimage. Wam
  • Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2019. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2019. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • An aerial image of Palm Jumeirah, taken from space by KhalifaSat in 2018. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    An aerial image of Palm Jumeirah, taken from space by KhalifaSat in 2018. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • An image from UAE's KhalifaSat, 600km in orbit, shows Beirut port after a blast levelled the entire district in August 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    An image from UAE's KhalifaSat, 600km in orbit, shows Beirut port after a blast levelled the entire district in August 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, US in October 2019. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, US in October 2019. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Denpasar, the capital city of Bali in Indonesia, pictured by KhalifaSat in 2019. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Denpasar, the capital city of Bali in Indonesia, pictured by KhalifaSat in 2019. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • The port city of Wonsan in North Korea. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    The port city of Wonsan in North Korea. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • A quiet Dubai International Airport during the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    A quiet Dubai International Airport during the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Milan in Italy pictured from space by KhalifaSat. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Milan in Italy pictured from space by KhalifaSat. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Abu Dhabi's distinctive coastline. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Abu Dhabi's distinctive coastline. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Dubai's recognisable coastline is pictured in 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Dubai's recognisable coastline is pictured in 2020. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 

3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

A cheaper choice

Vanuatu: $130,000

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Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.

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Benefits:  No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.

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