AL HAMRA: The periodic Comet 220P/McNaught witnessed one of its most exciting phases following a sudden surge in activity while approaching the sun in June this year. The observation took place from the Eastern Mountain in the Wilayat of Al Hamra.
The surge in activity saw the comet’s brightness increasing 8,000 times and it returned to this level of activity strongly this August.
Yahya al Kindi, an astrophotographer, said that the observation required precise calculations to determine the ideal viewing angle and the required time of passage to be able to clearly capture the comet through specialized astronomical equipment.
Al Kindi noted that the summit of the Eastern Mountain in the Wilayat of Al Hamra is distinguished by its strategic location which makes it one of the best destinations in the Sultanate of Oman for astronomical observation and stargazing due to its high altitude, low humidity and lack of artificial light.
By Yousef al Habsi
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