National attractions
Al Sadeem Observatory
Since its official opening in July 2016, Abu Dhabi's space observatory, Al Sadeem Observatory, located in the middle of the desert in Al Wathba South, has delighted avid astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers.
The two founders, Thabet Al Qaissieh and Alejandro 'Andy' Palado, believe that it is a great way to get the community engaged in astronomy and hope that the observatory will become a place for all space enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi to go to learn about our incredible universe.
At Al Sadeem Observatory, you're able to attend interesting lectures on space and astronomy that follow the STEM program, and indulge in planetary and deep sky observations. As part of its mission to help in nurturing space research in the country, Al Sadeem Observatory has been collaborating on researches with educational institutions and professional astronomers here and around the globe. The two-storey observatory consists of a 5,5 metre, 360-degree rotational dome made entirely of fibreglass, with a Meade LX850, 16-inch telescope mounted in the centre. You'll find several highly-advanced telescopes inside that provide brilliant opportunities for stargazing and viewings of space.
*Closed on Sundays and open from 6:00 PM onwards
*The observatory is closed for visits during the summer from June to September
*Open for two weeks monthly, when the moon is bright