The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recognized AlUla‘s stunning night sky as the “Astronomy Picture of the Day,” reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The image, published on August 25, 2025, shows a green-glowing meteor streaking across the Pleiades star cluster in a one-hour exposure. It was titled “The Meteor and the Star Cluster.”
Displaying the clarity and uniqueness of AlUla’s skies, the image establishes the governorate standing as a prime location for stargazing and astrophotography. It also marks the first appearance of a photo captured in AlUla on NASA’s platforms.
Behind this impressive achievement lies Manarat AlUla – the entity tasked with preserving the region’s pristine astronomical environment while promoting its global status in the fields of sky exploration and astrophotography.
The breathtaking shot was captured between the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Hegra and Gharameel Nature Reserve. The two locations represent the only two sites in the Gulf to get the Dark Sky designation from DarkSky International.
With its unique clarity, AlUla night skies have placed it among the top 5% of astronomical observation sites worldwide for their intense darkness and lack of light pollution. Hence, AlUla has become a prominent attraction for astrotourism fans and stargazers.
