The Tenth Arab Conference on Space and Astronomy Sciences:
“The Role of Space and Astronomy Sciences in Developing Contemporary Societies”
Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman, February 5-8, 2012
Introduction
The Omani Astronomical Society hosted the Tenth Arab Conference on Space and Astronomy Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Scientific Research Council, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Islamic Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology. The conference took place from February 5-8, 2012, at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman. The conference was held with the set objectives listed in (Appendix No. 1) under the theme:
“The Role of Space and Astronomy Sciences in Developing Contemporary Societies”
The conference was inaugurated under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al-Mundhiri, President of the State Council of Oman, at the Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos University Cultural Centre.
With gratitude, the conference was a success in all scientific, technical, and organizational aspects, with over 500 scientists, researchers, faculty members, enthusiasts, and graduate students from 39 countries participating. The conference sessions included a variety of topics:
Scientific sessions covering diverse scientific topics such as:
– Arab astronomical observatories and instruments, robust scientific research in astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences, including the universe and its celestial bodies like stars, galaxies, the solar system, meteors, meteorites, and impact craters.
– Remote sensing and Earth observation from outer space.
– Solar physics sessions discussing solar activities and their effects on the atmosphere.
– Sessions on Arab scientific heritage in astronomy.
– Education and curriculum sessions focused on astronomy and space studies.
– Sessions on planetariums and their use in education and public astronomical and cultural knowledge.
– Sessions on Arab astronomical innovations.
– Sessions for enthusiasts, youth, and Arab astronomical and space societies.
– A unique closing session featuring recommendations and honoring committees and individuals who have contributed significantly to the Union and the development of astronomy and space sciences in the Arab world (Appendix No. 2 includes the conference themes.
This conference was distinguished by its international participation, with contributions from 39 countries and various astronomical and space organizations. It also featured exhibitions and workshops, such as the Space Technology Exhibition, which represented the technical and institutional side of the conference, attracting extensive participation from different space agencies and scientific institutions. Additionally, there were public astronomical activities and events exhibitions, and research poster presentations highlighting regional research efforts and field studies in space and astronomy.
Notable activities at the conference included intensive training courses on astronomical observations and instruments and several capacity-building workshops for Arab participants, such as:
1. Optical alignment of telescopes.
2. Utilizing space technologies to support sustainable development.
3. The UN program for space cooperation and support in natural disaster management.
4. Innovations in teaching space and astronomy sciences.
Sponsors and Supporters of the Conference:
– The Omani Astronomical Society.
– Sultan Qaboos University.
– Ministry of Transport and Communications.
– International Astronomical Union (IAU).
– European Space Agency (ESA).
– The Scientific Research Council in Oman.
– The Islamic Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology.
– The Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
– United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
– NASA.
Participants from the Supreme Council included:
1. Prof. Hamid Mjool Al Nuaimi – President of the Union.
2. Prof. Muslim Shaltout, Egypt – Vice President of the Union.
3. Prof. Jamal Mimouni, Algeria – Vice President of the Union.
4. Prof. Shouqi Al-Dallal, Bahrain – Vice President of the Union.
5. Dr. Ouni Al-Khasawneh – Secretary General of the Union.
6. Sheikh Salman bin Jabr Al-Thani, Qatar.
7. Dr. Saleh Al-Sheathani, Oman.
8. Dr. Zaki Al-Mustafa, Saudi Arabia.
9. Prof. Imad Al-Barghouthi, Palestine.
10. Prof. Ali Sharaf Al-Din Taher, Sudan.
11. Ms. Mona Anbar, Kuwait.
12. Dr. Abdulqader Abseem, Libya.
Recommendations:
1. The participants of the Tenth Arab Conference on Space and Astronomy Sciences express their sincere gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for the generous hospitality and warm welcome extended during their stay. Thanks are also extended to the government of the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the conference.
2. Participants extend their heartfelt thanks to the Sultanate of Oman, represented by its official bodies, for the excellent hosting of the Tenth Arab Conference on Space and Astronomy Sciences.
3. Participants appreciate the efforts of the organizing committee and the Omani Astronomical Society for ensuring the success of the conference and providing all necessary facilities.
4. Participants extend their gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Osama Al-Nujaifi, Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, for his unlimited support for the Union in organizing this conference.
5. Regarding nurturing talents, participants recommend paying attention to and forming a committee to follow up on the development of capabilities of talented individuals.
6. Concerning the work of associations, participants emphasize that submitted papers should focus on the topics, projects, and future activities of these associations.
7. Participants recommend adopting a project to revive the House of Wisdom proposed by Prof. Shouqi Al-Dallal and Prof. Hamid Mjool Al Nuaimi, in a contemporary cultural, scientific, and technological format, and tasking the Union’s executive committee with following up on this matter.
8. Participants recommend addressing the International Astronomical Union to add another name for the Whirlpool Galaxy, naming it the Sufi Galaxy, and urge Arab scientists and enthusiasts to adopt this name.
9. Participants suggest naming future conference scientific sessions after Arab and Muslim scientists in the field of astronomy.
10. Participants emphasize that research presented at the conference should be submitted to the Union’s secretariat within a month after the conference for publication in the conference proceedings.
11. Participants stress the importance of radio astronomy and encourage youth engagement in this field.
12. Participants recommend increasing support for ambitious Arab youth and supporting their activities.
13. Participants recommend holding the Eleventh Arab Conference on Space and Astronomy Sciences at the University of Sharjah in 2014, with the date to be determined later.
14. Participants recommend holding the Sixth Islamic Astronomy Conference in Amman, Jordan, in 2013.
15. Participants recommend responding to the proposal to hold the Fifth Youth Forum on Space and Astronomy Sciences in Tunisia in 2012. If holding the forum in Tunisia is not feasible, participants recommend accepting the invitation of Prof. Slimane Barka to hold the forum in Gaza City and taking all necessary measures to ensure its success.
16. Participants express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Imad Al-Barghouthi and Dr. Sami Shalhoub for their contributions and support to the Union during their membership in the Supreme Council, and congratulate the new members of the Supreme Council.
### Conference Objectives:
1. To discuss frameworks for activating the role of space and astronomy sciences in supporting sustainable development programs in Arab countries.
2. To highlight the latest advancements in space technologies and astronomical discoveries to a wide audience.
3. To familiarize participants with global astronomical projects and international space programs and explore ways to strengthen scientific cooperation to benefit the region and its institutions and individuals.
4. To explore available opportunities for contributing to international scientific studies and research and highlight the region’s potential to attract scientific investments.
5. To emphasize the increasing interest of research institutions, educational institutions, researchers, and enthusiasts in various aspects of astronomy and create a fertile environment for networking and exchanging practical experiences among them.
6. To support sustainable development programs by holding a series of capacity-building workshops in space and astronomy.
7. To enhance scientific and cultural cooperation among Arab scientists, researchers, and interested individuals in the field of space and astronomy.
8. To utilize this Arab scientific meeting to hold the eighth meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences and discuss the proposed visions for the Union’s headquarters, facilities, and financing, in addition to approving administrative, financial reports, and the strategic plan for the Union.
The scientific regional committee for the conference:
1. Dr. Hameed Majoul Al-Nuaimi, President of the Arab Union of Space and Astronomy Sciences, President
2. Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hadi, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Space Council
3. Dr. Jamal Mimouni
4. Dr. Hassan Basara
5. Dr. Hanna Sabat
6. Dr. Shouki Al-Dalal
7. Dr. Saleh Al-Shaizani
8. Dr. Ali Al-Tahir Sharaf Al-Din
9. Dr. Emad Ahmed Barghouthi
10. Dr. Awni Khassawneh
11. Dr. Maher Nofal
12. Dr. Majid Mahmoud Jarrad
13. Dr. Muslim Shaltout
14. Dr. Mashhour Al-Wardat
15. Dr. Mahmat Kuja
16. Dr. Nidal Qasoum
The local organizing committee for the conference:
• Dr. Saleh bin Saeed Al-Shaizani, President
• Mr. Ahmed bin Saeed bin Ali Al-Jabri, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Ahmed bin Saeed bin Nasser Al-Mughairi
• Mr. Osama bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Busaidi, Valley Iron Smelting Company
• Mr. Ishaq bin Yahya bin Khalfan Al-Shayli, Ministry of Education
• Ms. Asila bint Rabea bin Salem Al-Fazari, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Al-Muhand bin Abdullah bin Obaid Al-Qayoudi
• Mr. Badr bin Salem bin Khamees Al-Rasbi, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Badr bin Shaikhan Al-Abdali
• Mr. Badr bin Amer bin Qais Al-Shibani
• Ms. Badriya bint Nasser bin Muhammad Al-Hashmi, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Khalid bin Yahya Al-Hashmi
• Ms. Khadija bint Khalid bin Muhammad Al-Shaizani
• Mr. Rabee bin Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Busaidi, Sultan Qaboos University
• Mr. Rabee bin Suleiman Al-Aghbari
• Ms. Rajaa bint Habib bin Abdullah Al-Lawati, Translator at the Ministry of Education
• Ms. Rahma bint Muhammad bin Amer Al-Batashi
• Dr. Zahra bint Rashid Al-Rawahi, Research Council
• Mr. Suleiman bin Hamoud bin Rashid Al-Nasseri, Medical Specializations Council
• Dr. Mohammed Sameer Al-Khuraisi, Advisor to the Omani Astronomical Society
• Mr. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Shuaibi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Court
• Dr. Sabih bin Rahman Al-Saadi, Expert at the Ministry of Education
• Ms. Abeer bint Ali bin Saleh Al-Muzaini, Supervisor at the Ministry of Education
• Ms. Azza bint Hamad Al-Sulaimani, Omani Astronomical Society
• Mr. Ali bin Amer bin Qais Al-Shibani, Media Supervisor at the Society
• Mr. Issam bin Ali Al-Salhi, Student at Sultan Qaboos University
• Mr. Ali bin Mohammed Al-Farsi, Ministry of Transport and Communications
• Mr. Amar bin Salem bin Ali Al-Rawahi, Astronomer at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs
• Ms. Fatima bint Rashid bin Salem Al-Maamari, Supervisor at the Ministry of Education
• Ms. Faiza bint Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Ansari, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Malik bin Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Dhuhani
• Mr. Marwan bin Anwar bin Khamees Al-Shuaiki, Dome Astronomical Secretary
• Ms. Maryam bint Saqr bin Abdullah Al-Zaabi, Ministry of Education
• Ms. Manal bint Abdullah bin Suleiman Al-Khuraisi
• Mr. Nasser bin Saeed bin Saif Al-Hashmi, Ministry of Education
• Dr. Nazifa Kuja, Physics Department, Sultan Qaboos University
• Mr. Hashil bin Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Mughairi
• Mr. Hilal bin Saeed bin Hamad Al-Shaizani, Sultan Qaboos University
• Mr. Yousef bin Hamad bin Hamed Al-Rahbi, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Younis bin Salem bin Abdullah Al-Hadidi