Dubai astronomy volunteers lead trips to see Milky Way

In a remote desert far from the bright skylines of the United Arab Emirates, stargazers are gathering to glimpse the Milky Way, a celestial sight most residents can no longer see from their homes. The nation's rapid, oil-fueled development into a hub for commerce and tourism has created one of the world's most light-polluted environments, obscuring the night sky that once guided Bedouins across the vast Empty Quarter. To reconnect people with this lost heritage, volunteers from the Dubai Astronomy Group are leading nighttime excursions to Al Quaa Desert, one of the darkest remaining spots in the country.

The UAE ranks among the most light-polluted countries globally, a condition shared with several Gulf Arab states where populations are concentrated in major cities. A 2016 scientific study suggested that 99 percent of the Emirates' population cannot see the Milky Way from their homes due to artificial lights. This illumination ranges from commonplace streetlights to the dramatic LED displays on Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Further development continues, with Abu Dhabi planning a $1.7 billion version of the Las Vegas Sphere attraction on Yas Island.