Kuwaiti Astronomer Abdullah Al-Harbi's Lens Reaches 'NASA' and 'ESA' with 50 Images
Press coverage 2 newspapers covered this event: Al-Rai · Al-Seyassah →
NASA and ESA published 50 images by Kuwaiti astronomer Abdullah Al-Harbi, making him the first Gulf Arab to feature in the Astronomy Picture of the Day section.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- First Gulf national whose images are featured in NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day
From the sands of the Gulf to the distant nebulae of deep space, Kuwaiti researcher Abdullah Al-Harbi’s passion for stargazing has evolved from a mere hobby into a scientific contribution embraced by the world’s leading space agencies.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) published 50 of Al-Harbi’s images on their official websites, distributed across main and subpages, making him the first Gulf national to have his work featured in NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day section. He is also among the most-published Arab astronomical photographers on the site, and the first Gulf national to collaborate with ESA.
Through his participation in the Oman Science Festival 2026, representing the Kuwait National Center for Space Research—a center under the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences—Al-Harbi encourages young Gulf nationals to engage in astrophotography to support astronomical research and enhance understanding of cosmic changes. He calls for community involvement in observation, documentation, and data collection, in collaboration with scientific centers and specialized institutions.
