Suhail, a Star That Arabs Look Forward to Sighting, as It Marks the End of Summer Heat

Suhail is one of the most interesting stars that Arabs use to observe, monitor, classify, and name other stars, because they regard it as their compass and calendar. Stars help them determine the time for agriculture, hunting, grazing, travel on land and sea, and seasons. Suhail's appearance in the sky marks the end of the extreme heat of peak summer and heralds the approach of cooler conditions. This star is observed with the naked eye in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula on August 24 each year. It appears in Jazan on August 7, moves toward the center of Saudi Arabia on August 24, and to the north of the Kingdom on September 8. The Suhail season lasts for 52 days. The weather becomes pleasant at night, while remaining hot in the daytime during the early part. 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 get gradually shorter and cool down significantly at the en d of the night. That is why Arabs were looking forward to the rise of this star. Source: Saudi Press Agency