Archive · 6 Sep 2026
AlUla's Odysseus Asterism Turns Desert Skies Into Storybook
AlUla has created a picture in the night sky using ten stars.
The picture shows Odysseus sailing on his legendary journey.
The story comes from Homer’s poem about the hero’s travels after the Trojan War.
This star picture is called an asterism, which is an informal group of stars.
It is not one of the 88 official constellations.
Visitors can see it in the Northern Hemisphere during summer and until September.
Guides can explain the stars, mythology and old navigation methods.
AlUla’s dark desert skies make the experience easier to see.
A future facility called AlUla Manara is also expected to support astronomy, education and research.
AlUla has unveiled an interpretive asterism of ten stars depicting Odysseus sailing aboard his ship.
The formation represents Odysseus’ ten-year journey after the Trojan War, inspired by Homer’s poem.
Its location includes Boötes, Hercules and Corona Borealis, all connected to Greek mythology.
The asterism is visible across the Northern Hemisphere during summer and until September, best shortly after sunset.
AlUla’s 6,000-square-kilometre Dark Sky landscape supports guided stargazing, astronomy education and future research.
- Who
- AlUla, with contributions highlighted by astrophotographer Saeed Baghdadi, created the interpretive Odysseus asterism.
- What
- An informal grouping of ten stars has been arranged as a celestial image of Odysseus sailing aboard his ship.
- When
- The asterism is visible during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months and until September, with viewing best shortly after sunset.
- Where
- The asterism is located in the skies above AlUla, Saudi Arabia, within a region featuring Boötes, Hercules and Corona Borealis.
- Why
- The project connects Greek mythology and storytelling with astronomy and astrotourism while highlighting AlUla’s naturally dark skies.
- Asterism
- An informal grouping of stars, unlike the 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
- Stars used
- Ten stars represent Odysseus and his ship.
- Story inspiration
- Homer’s poem and Odysseus’ ten-year journey following the Trojan War.
- Best viewing
- Shortly after sunset during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months and until September.
- Dark Sky landscape
- AlUla’s dark-sky area covers more than 6,000 square kilometres.
- Included sites
- AlGharameel Nature Reserve, Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah Nature Reserve.
- Future facility
- AlUla Manara is planned to offer immersive astronomy experiences, scientific research and education.