Astronomical Observatories

The Sharjah Astronomical Observatory serves as the optical research facility of the Astronomical Observatories Department, equipped with a 450 mm Dall-Kirkham reflector, a 180 mm fluorite apochromatic refractor, and a 105 mm ED apochromatic refractor, supporting both high-resolution imaging, photometry and spectroscopy. Its advanced instrumentation includes the BACHES echelle spectrograph, offering high-resolution spectral analysis for stellar studies; the DADOS slit spectrograph, suitable for low- to medium-resolution classification; and the UVEX spectroscope, a versatile achromatic system. Complemented by the SBIG STX-16803 CCD camera, the observatory enables cutting-edge research in observational astronomy while also serving as a platform for public outreach, student training, and national capacity-building. 

The Radio Observatory serves as the radio research facility of the Astronomical Observatories Department, allowing continuous monitoring of solar radio emissions. It comprises a Dual Dipole Array (eight dipoles tuned to 20.1 MHz), a Single Dipole Array (four dipoles tuned to 21 MHz), and an Inverted-V antenna optimized for 37 MHz. These systems are instrumental in studying solar radio bursts, ionospheric variability, and transient radio phenomena. The observatory enhances multidisciplinary research while fostering student training and regional expertise in radio astronomy. 

This Observatory, to be constructed on the summit of Jabal Al Kitab in Kalba, Sharjah, will feature a suite of advanced telescopes housed in specialized domes. Designed for high-resolution optical observations, the facility will enable detailed studies of planets, stars, galaxies, and transient phenomena such as exoplanet transits and supernovae. A dedicated satellite and space object monitoring station, integrated into the UAE’s broader efforts in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), will enhance capabilities in tracking satellites across different orbits, as well as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) and near-Earth objects (NEOs). This facility, alongside the optical observatory, will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, advanced student training, and public outreach, further consolidating Sharjah’s leadership in observational astronomy.

This Observatory, planned for Al Madam, Sharjah, will feature an array of 5-meter radio dishes designed for observations at the hydrogen line frequency (1420 MHz). The facility will enable valuable studies of neutral hydrogen in the Milky Way, supporting investigations of galactic structure and dynamics. It will also provide opportunities for monitoring bright radio sources and solar activity, as well as training students in radio astronomy methods and data analysis. By expanding Sharjah’s capacity in radio astronomy, the observatory will serve as a platform for both advanced education and regional collaboration. Its establishment marks a major step toward positioning Sharjah as a hub for radio astronomy in the Arab region.