Emirates Observatory

Emirates Observatory is a private stargazing and astrophotography facility in the desert outside Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, built to bring dark, wildlife-safe skies within reach of the city.

About Emirates Observatory

The observatory was founded by Meshal Almutairi in collaboration with the UAE government, with a mission to serve students, researchers, amateur astrophotographers and tourists across the UAE and wider Gulf Cooperation Council region. It is designed to provide professional-grade telescope observation and astrophotography in a controlled, safe environment, away from the hazards of open desert wildlife.

Location & getting there

Emirates Observatory sits about 45 minutes by car into the desert outside Abu Dhabi, putting real distance between visitors and the city's light pollution. The remote desert setting is central to what the observatory offers: dark skies within a manageable drive of the capital.

Visiting Emirates Observatory

The observatory welcomes visitors nightly from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM, making evening and late-night sessions its normal way of operating. Because desert access and safety arrangements matter here, it's best to check the official website before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

A desert observatory built specifically for astrophotography and public stargazing is an ideal place to seek out a star you've named. Once you have your star's coordinates from Star Register, staff with professional telescopes can help you find it in the dark Abu Dhabi sky. Check the catalogue to see how named stars are recorded.