UAE Astronomers Confirm New Exoplanets With Abu Dhabi Desert Observatory

The discoveries were made at Al Khatem Astronomical Observatory, nestled in the desert outside Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. By analysing tiny dips in starlight – caused by planets passing in front of their host stars – the team successfully identified several previously unconfirmed worlds.

The observatory officially joined NASA’s TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOP) in June 2024, after its researchers completed specialised training and demonstrated their capabilities in a live observational test. Since then, they’ve monitored 12 candidate stars during long overnight sessions, confirming planets around 10 of them using the site’s powerful telescope system.

Officials say the findings underscore both the accuracy of the observatory’s instruments and the UAE’s growing role in global astronomy research. Beyond being a scientific achievement, the project helps pave the way for deeper exploration into the potential habitability of planets beyond our solar system.

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