Qatar’s Sky to Feature Suhail Star on August 24 Marking the Beginning of Seasonal Change

Four Ascendents

Qatar Calendar House announced that the Suhail star will rise in Qatar's sky on 24 August 2024, signaling the start of the Suhail season in Qatar and across most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Dr. Bashir Marzouq, an astronomy expert at Qatar Calendar House, stated that Qatar residents will be able to observe the Suhail star with the naked eye towards the southern horizon during the first week of September. The Suhail star can be recognized as the brightest star in the night sky, second only to Sirius.

Dr. Marzouq further explained that the Suhail star's appearance on 24 August each year marks the beginning of the Suhail season and the Suhail year, which lasts 365 or 366 days. This period includes several seasons such as Al-Murabba'iyah, Al-Wasmi, Al-Safri, and Al-Kanna.

The Suhail star, located in the constellation of the ship's base, is the second brightest star visible in the night sky, after Sirius, and is approximately 300 light-years away from Earth.

According to Qatar Calendar House, the Suhail season begins on 24 August 2024, lasting 53 days. This period marks the onset of seasonal changes, with a gradual decrease in temperature, particularly at night, as water bodies start to cool in the evening.

It has four ascendents: Al-Tarfa, Al-Jabha, Al-Zubra and Al-Sarfa.

Source: The Calendar House