The Secrets of Sinai’s Starry Night
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The sun has set on another long day of eating, drinking, sightseeing, and shopping. You’ve experienced all that Sharm El Sheikh has to offer. Well, not quite. Some of the city’s richest history and most captivating beauty can be found right above you, in the evening sky.
Clear air, minimal light pollution, and a seaside location on the Sinai Peninsula make Sharm El Sheikh an ideal stargazing site. So ideal, in fact, that it’s been going on for centuries. The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in the field of astronomy, going as far back as the 3rd millenium BCE. Stars were observed and tracked for practical reasons, such as planting crops, keeping track of working and waking hours, and predicting annual events, such as the flooding of the Nile.
The Egyptians also viewed the stars with a spiritual bent, aligning their pyramids with the Pole Star (also known as The North Star) and adorning their temples and tombs with blue ceilings and yellow stars. Thirty-eight constellations were named by the Egyptians, many of them after gods and goddesses. The Milky Way (the galaxy where Earth is located) was represented by a sky goddess called Nut, who in turn gave birth to the sun god, Ra. The Egyptians even came up with the five-pointed symbol which has come to be recognized as the universal symbol for the star. The inspiration is said to be the sea star (or starfish) found in the Red Sea.
Are you intrigued yet? If so, you may want to talk to Nader Kobaissy or any of Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh’s resident astronomy experts. Using a high-powered telescope, they’ll lead you and your group or family through a stargazing session, right in the Resort garden. Don’t worry about having to listen to a dull lecture. The information is a fascinating mix of science, history, and mythology and is easy-to-relate to your everyday life.
Talk to the Concierge to make arranagements, dress for the weather, and bring a night-equipped camera if you have one. Beauty like this doesn’t come around often and you’ll want a lasting record.
