Celestial splendour in constellation storytelling

It doesn’t matter how many times I visit the same places in Oman; there is always something new. I don’t mean tourist spots with manufactured branding, but the pieces of sand, earth, water, and sky. Each of these geological and astronomical existences fills me with feelings.
The various directions of wind over the golden dunes whisper differently into my ears, even after dozens of visits. The dunes, the wind, and sunsets have become part of me, though the voices within the whispers are always new. Sometimes, they offer a gentle kiss on my cheek; other times, a gust of wind reminds me of my insignificance against its strength. At times, the wind carries a veil of sand, obscuring the sight for just a moment, to show how blind we can be.
Often, I also go to Al Jabal Al Akhdhar. Its dramatic canyon views, cool temperatures, terrace farming, and exotic trees are a magnet for me. The silhouettes decorating the rocky mountains along the trails and the water running deep in the canyons are forever part of me.
On many occasions, I went camping for stargazing, only to be greeted by the familiar ‘hee-haw’ of a donkey’s bray. And not for the first time, I was awakened by a donkey snorting over my head.
Under the vast, dark skies of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, illuminated by tiny diamonds, some visible to the naked eye and others only visible through a telescope during a stargazing talk by a local astronomer, I felt transported to a time when people studied the cosmos to understand the solar system and its effects on Earth, oceans, and daily life.
The history of ancient astronomy and modern space telescopes illuminates our understanding of calendars and shapes our perception of the universe.
Early astronomers believed that the pattern of stars had spiritual and religious significance, suggesting that understanding their patterns could unlock comprehension of the universe, both physically and mystically.
From Babylonian records, astronomers mapped constellations and visible planets. People used the stars and constellations to track the changing seasons for farming and used the North Star as a fixed point to determine directions. Voyagers memorised star paths using physical memory to navigate across open seas and vast deserts.
In storytelling, cultures projected their myths, legends, and history onto the stars to pass down moral lessons through generations. Stargazing influences modern astrotourism and Arab cultural revivals.
Anwar, a local amateur astronomer from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, was invited by our trip organisers to give a stargazing talk. With his impressive telescope and a pot of tea, he engaged in a conversation about planets and stars, while also explaining how mobile phone cameras can be used to photograph the intricate cosmos. Anwar took us into the celestial world of constellation storytelling.
To see Saturn’s bright rings or to photograph the Milky Way, which appears as a hazy, glowing white band of light stretching across the night sky, is to travel through celestial bodies.
We were shown the Scorpio constellation, whose composition marks the tip of a curved tail that can be literally read as 'the (creature with) a burning sting.’ Or, as one of the many versions of mythology, Scorpio is in the sky as a reminder for mortals to temper their pride.
Stars and constellations have frequently been central to artistic creation, sparking original stories and serving as reminders to humankind. Classical Arabic poetry frequently used constellations and planets as metaphors for romance, beauty, and nobility.
I had my gaze fixed on the sky, reflecting on the people throughout history who have observed the celestial sphere and identified patterns representing animals, mythological subjects, or inanimate objects.
The tapestry of the night sky can draw intense inspiration and emotion. ‘Life seems almost enchanted after all’ (Van Gogh).

Sonia AmbrosionThe writer is a journalist, academic and researcher in media studies