Al Sadeem Observatory in Al Wathba - in pictures

  • Surender Ponnalagar, senior observatory technician and astronomer, with the 16-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope at Al Sadeem Astronomy in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Surender Ponnalagar, senior observatory technician and astronomer, with the 16-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope at Al Sadeem Astronomy in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • It is possible to view the rings of Saturn, the polar ice caps on Mars and the phases of Venus through the telescope
    It is possible to view the rings of Saturn, the polar ice caps on Mars and the phases of Venus through the telescope
  • Visitors can look into space through the telescope and ask questions of the experienced astronomers
    Visitors can look into space through the telescope and ask questions of the experienced astronomers
  • The observatory was opened by Thabet Al Qaissieh and Alejandro Palado, whose shared fascination with the night sky goes back to when they were children
    The observatory was opened by Thabet Al Qaissieh and Alejandro Palado, whose shared fascination with the night sky goes back to when they were children
  • Various mounts and different types of telescopes in the lecture hall
    Various mounts and different types of telescopes in the lecture hall
  • Surender Ponnalagar gives visitors comprehensive information about the Moon, stars, planets and other celestial events
    Surender Ponnalagar gives visitors comprehensive information about the Moon, stars, planets and other celestial events
  • A group of friends sign up to learn about deep sky observations
    A group of friends sign up to learn about deep sky observations
  • Ponnalagar points out a smart telescope
    Ponnalagar points out a smart telescope
  • A group of friends learn about the evening's sightings
    A group of friends learn about the evening's sightings
  • Models help visitors to learn about the Earth's orbit of the Sun
    Models help visitors to learn about the Earth's orbit of the Sun
  • Ponnalagar demonstrates a telescope to visitors
    Ponnalagar demonstrates a telescope to visitors
  • Studying the sky using one of the observatory's telescopes
    Studying the sky using one of the observatory's telescopes
  • A telescope set up for visitors to learn about space activity
    A telescope set up for visitors to learn about space activity