The Arab astronomy community gathered at the University of Sharjah for their 14th conference on space sciences.

The four-day conference was organized by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS) in November 2023 and attracted scientists from over 40 countries.

Founded in 1998, the AUASS aims to raise the profile of space sciences and astronomy in the Arab world, promote exchange of information and experience in basic and applied astronomy science and preserve the Arab/Islamic astronomy heritage.

Hosted by the University's Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology, also known as the Sharjah Planetarium, the conference saw the presentation of more than 250 research papers and 36 key sessions and talks.

The conferences sessions and presentations offered solutions and developmental strategies to advance space sciences and astronomy in areas such as education awareness, technological advancements, and international collaboration.

Professor Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, the University Chancellor, and president of AUASS, said the conference was an opportunity to foster cooperation among Arab countries in space research. He praised the joint initiatives and recommendations adopted by the conference, describing them as “inspiring."

Hundreds of astronomers brought their cosmic know-how to the University of Sharjah. From Armenia, Prof. Areg Mickaelian, Director of the country's Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, emphasized the importance of collective efforts to help manage big data in astronomy.

"There are about 500 professional observatories and very small telescopes and amateurs who observe as well. Most of these observatories are in the North; Hawai, Canary, and North of Chile are the best points in the world," Prof. Mickaelian said.

In his presentation, Prof. Mickaelian shared the historical trajectory of big data, which spurred the establishing of the International Virtual Observatory Alliance in 2002.

He said while the international alliance brings together space and astronomy projects across Europe as a continent, there is yet no participation in the project from a single Middle Eastern country.

It was essential for Arab countries to unite their virtual observatory databases to ensure the efficient standardization of big data collection, he added.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronomers shared research their cosmic-knowhow research and contributions.

Hoor AlMaazmi from the UAE Space Agency shed light on the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first probe reported to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere.

"Emirates Mars Mission has several objectives – the main program was to complete Mars Orbit Insertion by the UAE's 50th anniversary in 2021. This mission is unique because of its unique orbit. The orbit of EMM compared to other Mars missions can get a global geographic and local time coverage in diurnal and sub seasonal timescales to look at seasonal changes at a local time coverage scale.

“We received great details of the surface of Mars with our imager. We also observed interesting complex structures in the Martian atmosphere. We were able to see the smaller Martian moon, which was observed for the first time in 50 years since the Viking probe observed it."

The conference, in its concluding remarks, emphasized the importance of open access to research data, regional and international cooperation, and responsible utilization of space resources.

It made a host of proposals ranging from the establishment of a specialized scientific journal in the field of space to the creation of an Arab virtual astronomical observatory linked to the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA).

In their recommendations, the participants affirmed their commitment to fostering human capacity-building initiatives and supporting sustainable practices in the realm of space sciences.