A spectacular celestial moment captured beneath the unspoiled night skies of AlUla has earned global recognition, as NASA selected it for its prestigious Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). This daily feature highlights some of the world’s most exceptional space and astronomy photography.
The featured image, taken by photographers Yousif Alqasimi and Essa Al Jasmi, showcases a brilliant green meteor blazing directly through an hour-long exposure of the Pleiades star cluster. Posted on August 25 and titled “The Meteor and the Star Cluster”, the photo marks the first-ever image from AlUla to be showcased on a NASA platform.
This remarkable shot was made possible with support from AlUla Manara, an initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting AlUla’s unique astronomy-friendly environment.
Captured between the iconic Hegra—Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the Gharameel Nature Reserve, AlUla’s Dark Sky Park status adds to its distinction. It’s the only region in the GCC with this certification and ranks in the top 5% globally for dark sky quality, making it a paradise for stargazers and astro-tourists.
NASA’s recognition further cements AlUla’s growing reputation as a world-class destination for celestial observation, offering unmatched opportunities to explore the wonders of the night sky.
