DUBAI // A Dh40 million observatory will inspire the public to look to the stars when it opens at the end of the year.

Construction began on the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre in Mushrif Park a year ago and should be completed by December, when it will house the largest active public telescope in the GCC and help to make Dubai a scientific and research hub.

Hasan Al Hariri, chief executive of the Dubai Astronomy Group, said the Mirdif observatory “will tell the story of the universe, with displays and information about the solar system”.

“It’s about 90 per cent done and we should, hopefully, have the rest of the construction completed by the end of August.

“We haven’t settled on the size of the main telescope as yet but it will be either one or two metres in size,” Mr Al Hariri said.

Despite being so close to the lights of the city and Dubai airport, the aim of the observatory is to get the public interested in space and “show them how clearly we can view the sky even with light pollution”, Mr Al Hariri said. “We have plans for a 2.5-metre-plus telescope in Hatta, away from light pollution, which will be focused more on scientific research.”

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