JEDDAH: Fatima bint Abdulmoneim Al-Sheikh, 19, has gone down in history as the second Saudi woman to have an asteroid named after her.
Arab News has confirmed with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) that the asteroid is called Al-Sheikh 33535, and is registered with the official international governing body for naming celestial objects.
Al-Sheikh received the honor of having an asteroid named after her for her research entitled: “Determining the Effect of the Novel Carl 2 Strigolactone Analog on the Seed Germination of Parasitic Weeds.”
She was a second runner-up for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in 2016, and was awarded $1,500 at the time.
In recognition of her achievements in science, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on July 23 published a two-part report headlined: “NASA Names One of its Asteroids After Talented Saudi Fatima Al-Sheikh.”
The report was carried by numerous Arab newspapers and websites, and a Twitter hashtag created in her name became popular. But part of that report was not entirely true.
NASA did not name the asteroid after her, nor did it recognize her achievement nor that of any other teenage scientist that has had an asteroid named after him or her by winning the Intel ISEF competition.
Other winners who had asteroids named after them include Saudis AbdulJabbar Al-Humood and Sarah Al-Rabiah. Other Arab winners who had asteroids named after them came from Egypt and Jordan.
Arab News contacted the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, which discovered 1999 HS9, the asteroid’s original name before its new name was registered in honor of Al-Sheikh.
“The LINEAR program submitted the proposal (to the IAU) to name asteroid 33535 in honor of Fatima Al-Sheikh in recognition of her excellent work” at the Intel ISEF, said J. Scott Stuart, a technical staff member in the Space Control Systems Group at LINEAR.
The website (www.ll.mit.edu/outreach/ceres.html) has information on how and why some asteroids are named after winners of international science competitions, and their teachers or mentors. NASA is not mentioned.
Winners of the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge and the Intel Science Talent Search also have asteroids named after them.
Newly detected minor planets or asteroids get a provisional designation. If the object’s orbit is confirmed, it receives a permanent number and the discoverer is invited to suggest a name for it.
Some websites Arab News found online, such as Cosmic Registry, falsely claim that you can have an asteroid, comet or small planet named after you or anyone you want.
Prices for an asteroid begin at $24.95. The website will also “sell” you land on the Moon, Venus and Mars.
Cosmic Registry claims that its registration certificates are certified by the UN Office of Outer Space Associations and registered with the International Astronomy Union — a play on the names of the official bodies: The International Astronomical Union and the UN Office for Outer Space Associations.
“Registering an Asteroid name for a loved one is a unique and heartfelt gift, and a perfect way to celebrate a memorable event or special occasion,” the Cosmic Registry website says.
What you will receive is a cheap certificate in a bad frame that means nothing more than the adoption certificate that comes with a child’s toy.
Unravelling the truth behind NASA naming an asteroid after a Saudi student
Unravelling the truth behind NASA naming an asteroid after a Saudi student
Orchestra celebrates soundtracks of popular video games at Saudi Arabia’s Ithra
- Concert features symphonic arrangements, in-game HD visuals
DHAHRAN: It is “game on” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture after it opened its doors to an event on Thursday.
The orchestral performance, which is being held nightly at the Ithra Theater — with two shows scheduled for Friday — celebrates the soundtracks of popular video games and attempts to breathe new life into them.
The concert features symphonic arrangements paired with in-game HD visuals and exclusive concept art from popular titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Assassin’s Creed, and The Witcher 3.
Sergey Smbatyan, founder of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director and principal conductor since 2005, was on hand to lend context and commentary between the scores on opening night.
He told the crowd before the show: “If you’re not a gamer, what I want you to do is to imagine that you’re in a museum — an art museum — but instead of a curator telling you about the images that you’re going to see on this huge screen, let these musicians tell you that exact story.
“Tonight there is no right time to clap; there is no wrong time to clap. If you hear something you like from these guys (gesturing to the orchestra behind him on stage), let us know.
“We're going to start off tonight with role-play games, or what are known as RPGs, where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. The game is focused on interactive storytelling, decision-making and strategy.”
Dhahran resident Paul Blay took his two daughters Sylvia, 11, and Celeste, 10, to the show.
Blay, who is a father of six, told Arab News: “I get emails about Ithra events and saw this one and I thought it would be fun for me and the girls to go to. Like with anyone that you love, I shared the things I love with them.”
The Blay family moved to the Kingdom last year and were keen to attend an event that merged gaming with music.
Celeste told Arab News: “I really like video game music; the music is really pretty and I like listening to that. It is kind of what motivated me to come here. And, also, my dad likes video games.”
The older Blay sisters have both taken music lessons and play multiple instruments, including the piano, the harp and the clarinet.
Their father said: “Some of the best music that’s being composed nowadays is for movies and video games. I expected it to be really high quality and good (at Ithra).”
The event featured music from Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed 2, among many others.
The last show takes place on April 5, with tickets starting at SR200 ($53), available at the venue or via the Ithra website.
Exhibition honoring Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated in Jeddah
- The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations
MAKKAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz launched the “Love of Khaled Al-Faisal” exhibition as part of Jeddah Season festivities.
The ceremony was attended by Prince Turki bin Faisal, alongside several relatives of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
The delegation toured the exhibition, housed at the Abadi Al-Johar area in Jeddah, which runs from April 3-8 and welcomes visitors daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations.
Saudi Arabia’s Hail poppy reserve attracts thousands of tourists
- Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors
HAIL: With its vibrant array of wildflowers framed by golden sand dunes and majestic mountains, the Poppy Reserve in Al-Khattah is one of the Hail region’s most captivating attractions.
Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors, particularly during holidays, Eid and the spring season.
The attraction enchants guests with its sweeping fields of poppies, perfectly balanced in form and color. As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow over the landscape and create a natural wonder.
This striking beauty enhances the region’s reputation for breathtaking scenery and offers a unique experience.
Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Bologna Book Fair
- The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added
BOLOGNA: Saudi Arabia concluded its participation in the Bologna International Book Fair 2025, held in Bologna, Italy, from March 31 to April 3.
The event introduced visitors to Saudi heritage through a comprehensive cultural experience.
Bassam Al-Bassam, general manager of publishing at the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, said the commission organized various initiatives to enhance the publishing and translation industry in the Kingdom and showcase the Saudi cultural landscape.
The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added.
By participating in international book fairs, the Kingdom aims to enhance its cultural presence on a global scale and create new opportunities to promote Saudi culture both regionally and internationally.
Attempt to smuggle qat foiled in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan
- Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority
JAZAN: Saudi Border Guard land patrols in Farasan, Jazan, arrested three Yemenis for violating border security system regulations and attempting to smuggle 171 kg of qat.
Meanwhile, Border Guard land patrols in Al-Daer, Jazan, foiled an attempt to smuggle 45 kg of hashish. Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority.
