Rare astronomical events to light up Imam Turki bin Abdullah Reserve in November 2026

The skies above Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve will host a series of diverse astronomical phenomena throughout November 2026, featuring conjunctions of the Moon with prominent planets and stars, as well as lunar phases and meteor showers.

The events begin on November 1 with the last quarter phase of the Moon, followed by close approaches of the Moon with Mars, Jupiter, and the star Regulus on November 2 and 4. On November 5, the reserve will witness the Southern Taurids meteor shower, and on November 7, the Moon will align with Venus.

On November 9, Venus will appear near the star Spica during the new moon phase, while the Northern Taurids meteor shower will be visible on November 12. The celestial activity continues on November 16 with a conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, followed by the first quarter Moon on November 17.

On November 18, the Leonids meteor shower will be visible, and the Moon will approach Saturn on November 20. The full moon, known as a "supermoon," will occur on November 21, marking one of the month's most notable astronomical sights.

The second half of November will see further events, including a conjunction of Mars with Regulus on November 26, and the Moon aligning with Jupiter on November 30, offering a continuous sequence of celestial phenomena throughout the month.

Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve provides an ideal environment for astronomical observation, thanks to its vast expanse and low light pollution in the "dark sky" areas of the Nafud Al-Kabir desert. This allows for clearer views of celestial objects and phenomena, supporting astrophotography and scientific activities related to space sciences.

These features, along with the reserve's natural diversity, enhance its status as a destination for eco-tourism and astro-tourism, highlighting the importance of preserving "dark sky" sites for observing celestial events away from artificial light sources.