RAFHA: Why is the appearance of the Suhail star celebrated in some parts of Saudi Arabia?
According to Berjis Al-Fulaih, a member of the Afaq Society for Astronomy, when the star becomes visible, it signals the end of summer’s intense heat and the start of cooler temperatures.
It marks an important seasonal event for Arabs that heralds the beginning of the rainy season and the land’s revival, Al-Fulaih told the Saudi Press Agency.
Suhail is the Arabic name of Canopus, known to be the second-brightest star in the sky after Sirius.
Suhail is the Arabic name of Canopus, known to be the second brightest star in the sky after Sirius. (SPA)
According to astronomers, Canopus is actually much more luminous than Sirius, but because Sirius is only 8.6 light-years away from the Earth, it appears brighter. In contrast, Canopus is about 310 light-years away.
Al-Fulaih said Suhail is observed with the naked eye in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula on Aug. 24 every year, and becomes clearly visible in the north of the Kingdom on Sept. 8.
The Suhail star has since antiquity served as a guide for farmers in the Arab world to prepare for agricultural activities. Sailors and travelers also relied on it for navigation, and it has inspired Arab poetry and folklore.
Lasting 52 days, what is known as the Suhail season brings about gentle winds and clouds, according to a previous SPA report.
During this season, the weather becomes pleasant at night, while remaining hot during part of the day. By the end of the season, daytime temperatures become more comfortable.
“One of the signs coinciding with Suhail’s emergence is the decline in the angle of the sun’s rays. The days gradually get shorter and cool down significantly at the end of the night. That is why Arabs were looking forward to the rise of this star,” the report explained.
The appearance of Suhail is celebrated in the Northern Borders Region, which launched the 2025 Suhail Nights Festival earlier this month. It is also celebrated with cultural events in the highland city of Taif, in the western part of the Kingdom.
