Suhail rising soon in UAE: How to spot the star that heralds cooler days

MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

As August winds down, the bright star Suhail - known internationally as Canopus - is set to make its seasonal return to the UAE skies.

For centuries, people in the region relied on its rise to signal the transition from summer’s scorching heat to milder autumn days.

Located about 310 light-years from Earth in the Carina constellation, Suhail is the second brightest star in the night sky after Sirius. 

The star is celebrated in Emirati poetry and folklore as a symbol of relief after hardship.

“Suhail has always been more than just a star for people in this region,” Khadijah Hasan Ahmad, Operations Manager at Dubai Astronomy Group, told Aletihad.

“For Bedouins and sailors, it was a guide, both in navigation and in timing their lives.”

Its rise historically signalled the start of new seasonal activities like pearl diving, farming, and travel. 

How to Spot Suhail

Ahmad explained that Suhail first becomes visible in the UAE around August 24–26 in the dawn hours just above the southeastern horizon, rising slightly earlier and higher with each day.

It can be spotted across the southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula and other regions in the southern hemisphere.

However, Suhail rises extremely low on the southern horizon, so today’s urban lights and haze in the atmosphere make it almost impossible to see clearly on those dates, Ahmad noted.

She estimates that the best chance to spot Suhail after its first official rising is typically from September 8 onwards, around 4:57am under clear sky conditions.

“And yes, it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye without telescopes, just clear sky.”

Once visible, the star remains in the sky throughout autumn and winter before fading near the sun’s glare in late winter or early spring.

A Celestial Coincidence

While Suhail itself doesn’t change the weather, its appearance coincides with the natural transition from peak summer to more moderate temperatures and shifting seasonal winds, offering a natural cue for generations.

“What actually happens is that by the time Suhail becomes visible in late August, the Earth’s tilt and orbit are moving the region gradually out of the most direct summer sun,” Ahmad explained.

“This change in the Sun’s path across the sky leads to shorter days, a drop in solar intensity, and eventually cooler temperatures. The timing of Suhail’s appearance lined up so consistently with this natural seasonal shift that it became a trusted calendar star for generations.”

Weather Forecast

In the coming four days, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) predicts the UAE will see partly cloudy skies at times, with occasional cloud covering over eastern and southern areas. 

Winds will be light to moderate, occasionally gusting up to 35kmph, causing some blowing dust. Seas in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea are expected to remain calm.

Temperatures along the coast will range between 28°C at night and up to 45°C during the day, with humidity varying from 30% to 85%. 

Inland areas are expected to be hotter, reaching up to 47°C, with lower humidity, while mountain regions will be slightly cooler, with highs around 36°C and relatively high humidity levels. 

In Abu Dhabi specifically, daytime temperatures are expected to hover between 41°C and 44°C, dropping to 32–34°C at night.