Riyadh: The heliacal rising of Sirius was observed on Wednesday, marking the star's first appearance above the eastern horizon in the skies over Rafha in Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region. Visible at the start of dawn after an absence of about 70 days since its last appearance in the western sky, the event is regarded as one of the most significant annual astronomical phenomena and a seasonal marker in Arab tradition, signaling the beginning of the solar year associated with the star.

According to Saudi Press Agency, member of the AFAQ Society for Astronomy Barjas Al-Fulaih stated that Sirius consists of a large star orbited by a smaller companion and lies about eight light-years from Earth, making it one of the closest stars to Earth. Al-Fulaih noted that Sirius has held a special place in Arabic literature throughout the ages, inspiring poets who likened its brilliance to the gleam of swords and the sparkle of eyes.

He described the star as an enduring symbol of beauty and radiance, and one of the sky's greatest wonders, where science, legend, and creativity converge.