President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences:

The Achievements of the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory solidify the position of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology at the University of Sharjah as vital player in developing the UAE space sector. These achievements emphasize its role in supporting the global scientific and research fields.

In fulfillment of the objectives of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) at the University of Sharjah set by its founder His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah. His Highness founded SAASST as a scientific hub that aims to disseminate knowledge of the developments, significance, and impact of astronomy and space sciences and technology. Also, to be a world leader in scientific research and solidify the UAE's position as a scientific center at the regional and global levels. And within the framework of its continuous progress at the global scientific scope …

SAASST's Sharjah Astronomical Observatory Observer and Research Assistant Mr. Mohammad Fadil Talafha detected rare sequential lunar impacts on January 18th, 2021.

His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, General Director of SAASST, and President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, announced this observation. He added that these impacts were observed using the Sharjah Lunar Impacts Observatory Telescope (SLIO) of the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory. It consists of a three-meter-high dome equipped with a 14-inch Meade telescope and many sensitive instruments.

His Excellency added stressing the importance of the SLIO telescope as it is conducting ground monitoring of the dark part of the moon to determine the rates and sizes of large meteoroids that hit its surface. This with the aim of enhancing understanding of lunar impacts' effects on space missions, which in turn helps protect and facilitate manned space missions. Monitoring such phenomena opens the gate to study the types and effects of such impacts on the surface of the moon and how craters form over billions of years. The team working in this observatory, he continued, is committed to monitor this type of events, and share results with other global observatories around the world. They also involve students in various research projects and observational missions at the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory.

His Excellency the University Chancellor affirmed that SAASST, thanks to the generous and continuous support of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and through this great achievement confirms its capabilities in accomplishing this aspect of its scientific role. He pointed out that SAASST is moving forward with steady and solid steps in enriching awareness and knowledge in the fields of astronomy, space sciences, and technology through its various scientific and research projects.

In the service of these fields, His Excellency Prof. Al Naimiy added that the University of Sharjah in cooperation with SAASST launched several new graduate programs. Those include the Master of Science in Space Sciences and Astronomy, the Master of Science in Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing, and the Master in Air and Space Law programs. They aim to enhance the academic and professional knowledge of students and provide them with the required experience in the field of astronomy and space sciences. This through working on specialized research and developing projects that support the space sector in the United Arab Emirates and the world.

For his part, Prof. Mashhoor Ahmad Al Wardat, Vice General Director of SAASST for Academic Affairs and the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory, confirmed that after analyzing the time of impacts and their relative positions, the team concluded that they are a series of meteorite impacts. They resulted from the disintegration of the meteoroid due to the gravitational pull of the moon as it approaches its surface. Meteoroids are fragmented and fall in pieces scattered longitudinally and happened in several impacts, such as the case of Comet Shoemaker-Levy when it approached the surface of Jupiter in 1994. Its parts were fragmented and collided with the planet in the form of a longitudinal chain. This also happened to the asteroid that hit Earth in 2008, and its parts were scattered over a wide longitudinal area in the Nubian Desert in Northern Sudan.

Prof. Al Wardat explained that the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory team is now working on a deeper analysis of these lunar impacts to determine the source and mass of the main object. This within the Observatory's various projects, which include monitoring galaxies and binary stars, studying variable stars, and determining the age of star groups. All with the aim of disseminating scientific information and supporting research projects. Al Wardat confirmed that the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory is one of the small observatories equipped with the best and most modern devices that enable astronomical imaging and deep sky observation. It contains several telescopes that enable researchers to study the star spectrum and monitor Exoplanets, the Sun, and their changes.

The Observer and Research Assistant Mr. Mohammad Fadil Talafha also stated there is monthly scheduled observations to monitor lunar impacts using the Sharjah Lunar Impact Observatory (SLIO) telescope. It is dedicated to such observations and considered one of the most technical astronomical observations that need high sensitivity tools and requires high accuracy in analysis. These impacts appear in the form of very short light flashes, sometimes reaching fractions of a second, so accuracy is crucial.

What distinguishes this series of impacts, he added, is that they occurred within a short period of time (one minute) and were of greater brightness than usual. Also, their flash periods were relatively long, as periods of up to a quarter of a second were recorded in each impact and this is considered a long time for such events. It is noticeable that these impacts spread in the middle of the dark eastern side of the moon at the time of observation and spread over a distance of 1000 km on its surface.

He added that it appears from preliminary analyses of these impacts have created new craters on the surface of the moon ranging in diameter from 5 to 10 meters.

It is noteworthy that the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory has recorded several impacts during the previous period as the first observatory in the Middle East dedicated to this type of observations. It also is collaborating with the European Space Agency in this type of observations.