Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Calendar House announced that the Suhail star will rise in Qatar’s sky tomorrow, Sunday, signaling the beginning of the Suhail season across the country and most of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
The appearance of Suhail is traditionally seen as a sign of gradually moderating weather, the end of the scorching summer winds, and the onset of seasonal change with cooler nights, shorter days, and increased chances of rainfall.
In an interview with Qatar TV, Dr. Bashir Marzouk, an astronomy expert at the Qatar Calendar House, confirmed that the rising of Suhail on August 24 each year marks the beginning of the Suhail season, which lasts for 53 days.
“It is one of the stars that indicates the decline of extreme heat, especially at night. People of the Arabian Peninsula have long said: ‘When Suhail rises, the nights become cooler,’” he explained.
According to Dr. Marzouk, Suhail can be observed astronomically from dawn tomorrow in the southeastern horizon. However, for the naked eye, the star will become clearly visible during the first week of September.
Suhail is a white giant star in the constellation Carina (formerly part of Argo Navis).
It is the second brightest star in the night sky after Sirius, located approximately 310 light-years away from Earth.
In Arab tradition, it is also known as Suhail Al-Yamani because it appears in the southern sky.
The rising of Suhail has held cultural and meteorological significance for centuries across the Arabian Peninsula.
Its appearance not only indicates the seasonal transition and the easing of heat but also renews anticipation for rainfall, making it a key marker in both the astronomical and folkloric calendars of the region.
