Science and Technology / 'Safara Manarat AlUla for Astro Photography' Program Continues to Support Specialized Talents in Astro Photography

AlUla, Safar 1, 1448 AH (corresponding to July 15, 2026) – SPA – The 'Safara Manarat AlUla for Astro Photography' program continues its efforts to support national, Arab, and international talents specialized in astrophotography, through an integrated system of training programs and specialized workshops aimed at developing participants' skills, enabling them to document the beauty of the night sky, and highlighting the natural and astronomical features that AlUla is known for, thereby strengthening AlUla's position as a leading destination for sustainable astro tourism. In this context, Manarat AlUla organized an astrophotography workshop, during which participants shared their experiences in photographing the night sky, exchanged technical and knowledge expertise, and discussed best practices in documenting astronomical scenes, contributing to the development of specialized visual works and placing AlUla on the global astro tourism map. The program aims to build a specialized community of sky and star photographers through a series of workshops and training programs that combine theoretical and practical aspects, contributing to the development of participants' skills and enriching specialized visual content in astrophotography. The program also provides participants with photography opportunities in selected locations within AlUla, including a number of nature reserves and limited-access sites, allowing them to document astronomical and natural scenes from locations rarely available to photographers, and giving them field experiences that enrich their expertise in landscape, sky, and star photography. The program is the first of its kind in the Kingdom in terms of supporting and hosting specialized astrophotography ambassadors, aiming to enable them to produce visual works that contribute to introducing astro tourism and highlighting the quality of the night sky and natural features that AlUla is known for. The program is based on the status that AlUla has established in the field of astro tourism, after a number of its sites were designated as Dark Sky sites by DarkSky International, reflecting the quality of its night sky and low levels of light pollution, providing an ideal environment for astronomical observation and photography, and enhancing AlUla's presence as a global destination for sky enthusiasts and those interested in astrophotography. AlUla has been associated with sky observation for centuries, as its inhabitants and caravans relied on the stars for guidance and knowing the seasons. Manarat AlUla continues to develop its educational programs and astronomical experiences, contributing to preparing a generation of specialized photographers and enhancing the governorate's position as a global destination for astro tourism. // End // 18:52 T.M. 0139