The appearance of the Suhail star, a celestial event cherished by many in the UAE, is often linked to the start of cooler weather. Traditionally, residents believe that the sighting of this star marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter, leading to excitement on social media. However, astronomy experts in the UAE are now debunking this myth, explaining that while Suhail has cultural significance, its visibility is not directly responsible for weather changes.
Hasan Al Hariri, CEO of the Dubai Astronomy Group, clarified that seasonal changes are caused by the Earth's axial tilt and rotation, not by the appearance of stars like Suhail. While ancient civilizations used stars for navigation and timing, they do not influence weather patterns. The star's visibility merely coincides with the seasonal transition, particularly around the equinoxes.
Vipin PK, a member of the Emirates Astronomical Society, further elaborated that there are four stars named Suhail, with Canopus being the most prominent and visible during winter. However, it’s a coincidence that Suhail appears as temperatures drop, reinforcing the association between the star and cooler weather.
Climate experts like Dr. Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology also noted that autumn, marked by rapid weather changes, begins with the equinox on September 22. While the sighting of Suhail is exciting for many, experts stress that it is not a cause of the cooler temperatures experienced during this transitional period.