Outreach

The Center for Astrophysics and Space Science is dedicated to engaging UAE youth (ages 13-24) with exciting, relevant outreach centered on the topic of astronomy. Our team produces annual events with local sponsors, educational sectors and science-based partners to meet this goal.

NOVA of Celestoria

A Graphic Novel from CASS

NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Astrophysics and Space Science is proud to present Nova of Celestoria, a young adult graphic novel (recommended for ages 13+) that fuses astrophysics with science fiction in a compelling, coming-of-age adventure. Written by NYUAD students Syed Fahad Rizwan and Zhiyu Solstice Luo, the story follows Nova — a teen stargazer — whose discovery of a mysterious cosmic signal propels him into an extraordinary journey across the stars. Developed over two years under the guidance of Prof. Andrea V. Macciò and Outreach Manager Bianca Arkeen, the project reflects the creativity and innovation of the NYUAD community.

The Book Launch for the novel was on May 2, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Nova of Celestoria is available for purchase on Amazon, at Magrudy’s Bookstore Abu Dhabi, and Kinokuniya Dubai (Abu Dhabi location coming soon).

Find it on Goodreads.

World Space Week

Each year, CASS participates in World Space Week by hosting smaller events and activities for the NYUAD community. World Space Week takes place every year from October 4–10. It was established by the United Nations to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology, marking:

October 4, 1957 – the launch of Sputnik 1, the first human-made satellite.
October 10, 1967 – the signing of the Outer Space Treaty.

These programs celebrate humanity’s achievements in space exploration and offer students, faculty, and staff opportunities to engage with astronomy and space science in accessible and interactive ways.

2025

An Interstellar Evening

On October 9th, 2025 we are celebrating World Space Week with An Interstellar Evening for the NYUAD community! Enjoy Interstellar on the big screen, followed by an engaging discussion with Dr. Carlo Cannarozzo and Dr. Moe Abbas! Enjoy pizza, snacks, and plenty of space talk.

2023

As part of World Space Week, on October 10, 2023, the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS) hosted Galaxy Quest: a Cosmic Trivia and Lego Night for the NYU Abu Dhabi community. About thirty community members attended the special night, with the majority being children and families. Attendees let their creativity soar by building Legos inspired by NASA.

Capturing the Cosmos

An Astrophotography Workshop

Astrophotographers join this two-day intensive workshop hosted each fall by the Center. Capturing the Cosmos is catered to astrophotographers to understand what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. Both amateurs and professionals are eligible to apply to the program.

credit: Benjamin Barakat; caption: Abu Dhabi night sky taken during the 2nd edition of the Capturing the Cosmos Astrophotography Workshop, produced by the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science.

The Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS) hosted the fourth edition of Capturing the Cosmos: An Astrophotography Workshop on January 25–26, 2026. More than 100 participants joined the free, two-day program designed to guide aspiring and experienced astrophotographers through the art and science of capturing the Milky Way and the night skies.

The workshop was led by Samy Al Olabi, an award-winning photographer whose breathtaking panoramas of the Arabian night sky have been featured by CNN, BBC, and National Geographic, and even as desktop backgrounds for Microsoft and Apple operating systems. His passion for nature and astronomy continues to inspire new generations of photographers across the region.

Participants also attended a theoretical lecture by Dr. Ahmad Nemer, which explored the scientific principles behind night-sky imaging and astrophysical observation. The event was organized in collaboration with NYUAD’s Student Interest Group, Spacebar, with generous support from Nikon and iBrandConnect, who returned as official sponsors.
The Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS) produced the third edition of Capturing the Cosmos: an Astrophotography Workshop on September 16 and 17, 2023. Over 120 participants attended the free, two-day intensive where astrophotographers learned what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. The hybrid in-person and online workshop included theoretical tutorials, a practical guide to the Abu Dhabi desert and three CASS astronomy seminars. Dr. Moe Abbas conducted a lecture titled About the Stars, Dr. Ahmad Nemer conducted a seminar titled an Overview of Our Planetary System, and Dr. Ahmed Nemer conducted his seminar on Star Formation. The majority of attendees were from Abu Dhabi and 15% Emirati. CASS partnered with the Emirates Astronomical Observatory (EAO) and was sponsored by Canon Middle East and iBrandConnect.
On October 22nd and 23rd CAP3 hosted its second annual intensive, two-day event in the middle of the desert, titled Capturing the Cosmos: An Astrophotography Workshop. The workshop included theoretical tutorials, CAP3 astronomy seminars, and a practical guide to the Abu Dhabi desert. Professional astrophotographers Benjamin Barakat and Yousef Al Qasimi taught attendees just what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. The Center had 240 signups at the onset. This year, the program partnered with Manarat Al Saadiyat, Gulf Astronomy Group, Gulf Photo Plus and had both Nikon and ibrandconnect as sponsors. Upon completion, 115 students understood how to plan trips and shoots successfully, how to capture and compose the images, and how to bring the images to life with special advanced post-processing techniques.
The three day free-of-charge astrophotography workshop in October, 2021 was well attended with over 100 participants at the onset of the program. Capturing the Cosmos was catered for advanced photographers who sought a clear understanding of what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. The workshop included theoretical tutorials, CAP3 astronomy seminars, and a practical guide in the Abu Dhabi desert. At the end of the program students understood how to plan trips and shoots successfully, how to capture and compose the images, and how to bring the images to life with special advanced post processing techniques. CAP3 partnered with Manarat Al Saadiyat and Al Sadeem Observatory for the workshop and was sponsored by Nikon and ibrandconnect.

credit: Maroun Habib (below images); caption: Participants at the 2023 Capturing the Cosmos Astrophotography Workshop.

Participants at the 2023 Capturing the Cosmos Astrophotography Workshop.

credit: (above) astrophotographer, Samy Al Olabi

Astronomy Camp

Our annual camp provides students from eight grade to collegiate level an introductory crash course on the broad topic of Astronomy. Areas include: the solar system, exoplanets, the birth and death of stars and cosmology. Our four day intensive provides students with an opportunity to engage with NYU Abu Dhabi professors and researchers. Students are provided certificates upon the competition of the program.

The Center produced its fourth edition of the popular Astronomy Camp from January 24-27, 2024. This year’s virtual Camp consisted of eleven sessions, led by CASS professors and research staff along with special guest speakers like Dr. Jörg Matthias Determann and Dr. Roger Hajjar. Popular sessions according to the students included Muslim Cultures and Extraterrestrial Life and the Birth and Death of Stars. 65 students completed the full three day course. This year, the program partnered with the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology to provide selected students an opportunity for an exclusive field trip to the Planetarium where they watched black hole planetarium shows and participated in tours on the final day.

A full agenda can be here.
CAP3’s annual Astronomy Camp took place virtually January 11-13, 2023. It hosted students from eighth grade through the college level. CAP3 professors, research staff, and other guest speakers held introductory seminars on topics ranging from exoplanets, the solar system, the birth and death of stars, and the milky way. This crash course enabled students to acquire first-hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate-level seminars. It was hosted this year prior to CAP3’s Timescales in Astrophysics Conference in order to encourage participants to attend the public talk on a Black Hole Survival Guide with Janna Levin. Over 200 students globally signed up and approximately 60 students completed all four days of the camp.

A full agenda may be found here.
Astronomy Camp is an annual event produced by CAP3. The second iteration took place January 25-28, 2022 virtually, hosting over 100 students eighth grade through collegiate level. CAP3 professors, research staff and other guest speakers held introductory seminars on topics ranging from exoplanets, the solar system, the birth and death of stars, and the milky way. This crash course enabled students to acquire first-hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate level seminars.

A full agenda may be found here.
The inaugural online Astronomy Camp in January 2021 hosted 24 students aged from eighth grade through collegiate level. Ten professors and research staff held introductory seminars on topics. This crash course enabled students to acquire first hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate level seminars. A full agenda may be found here.

Students came from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah. 42 percent young women and 58 percent young men attended the camp. And an overwhelming 95 percent of students ranked the course as Excellent or Very Good. Astronomy Camp will continue bi-annually with even more interactive elements!

The Astronomy Camp helped me recognize an already instilled love for space. I learned various topics from the prevalence of astronomy in history to the places it could reach in the future. More importantly though, I was able to understand the research and observations that go into astronomy through the eyes of scientists.

Student, Astronomy Camp '21