TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s the Royal Commission of AlUla and SETI Institute announced their collaboration to develop AlUla Manara Observatory as a leading destination of the future for space research, discovery and astro-tourism. As part of the agreement, the SETI Institute will facilitate installation of a Laser SETI instrument the observatory.
TT Bureau
AlUla is an ancient desert oasis located in North-West Saudi Arabia with more than 200,000 years of recorded human history and ancient heritage sites with 7,000 years of successive civilisations. The AlUla Manara Observatory is part of an ambitious plan to develop AlUla into a premier destination with a focus on sustainability, community, and cultural and knowledge enrichment.
As part of the agreement, the SETI Institute will facilitate installation of a Laser SETI instrument at AlUla Manara Observatory. LaserSETI, an optical SETI project, monitors the sky for laser flashes that could indicate the presence of extra-terrestrial technology. The LaserSETI station would be part of a broader network scanning the entire northern hemisphere night sky from various locations.
Naif Almalik, Executive Programme Director, AlUla Manara Observatory, said, “This collaboration enhances AlUla’s evolving role as a dynamic hub for science and knowledge exchange. It will equip AlUla Manara with the instruments needed to observe the cosmos in extraordinary detail and establish AlUla as a premier destination for research and astro-tourism. Just an hour’s drive from AlUla’s centre, the observatory will inspire local youth to pursue diverse careers in advanced STEM fields, supporting the growth and economic diversification of Saudi Arabia in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.”
Additionally, the SETI Institute will support in developing data analysis systems for some of the telescopes housed at AlUla Manara Observatory and provide expertise in hardware and instrument development. The SETI Institute’s Centre for Education plans to support training teachers and students using virtual reality tools to enhance local astronomy and space science capabilities. The outreach centre will also create communication resources to engage visitors at AlUla Manara Observatory in astronomy, astrobiology, and SETI, aligning with RCU’s vision for AlUla to become a regional hub for research, innovation, and education. Bill Diamond, CEO, SETI Institute, said, “Embedded in the SETI Institute’s mission statement is the importance of sharing our research with the world. We are excited about this collaboration with RCU where we see the opportunity to bring the fascination of space science and education to a part of the world where there is far too little joint engagement in research, education and technology development.”
The collaboration will also facilitate a diverse range of joint research projects and contribute to the growing astro-tourism initiatives already recognised and popular in AlUla. It will also provide educational and upskilling opportunities for students from AlUla and across the Kingdom.
Franck Marchis, senior astronomer and Director of Citizen Science for Unistellar at the SETI Institute, said: “We envision the AlUla Manara Observatory as a beacon of discovery, equipped with advanced and cutting-edge telescopes to unveil new celestial bodies and propel astronomical research to new heights.”
