Amman, Oct. 15 (Petra) - A pre-dawn conjunction between the moon and the Pleiades star cluster will illuminate Jordanian skies on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The celestial event holds "deep cultural significance" in Jordanian folklore, particularly among Bedouin communities who historically relied on lunar-Pleiades conjunctions to track seasons, rainfall, and grazing cycles.

In remarks to "Petra," Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) President Ammar Sakaji said the moon will emerge in its waning gibbous phase with about 95 percent illumination.

The angular distance between the moon's center and the cluster will be less than one degree, meaning moonlight glare may obscure the fainter stars in the cluster. Known scientifically as Messier 45 or the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades sit roughly 435 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.

Meanwhile, folklore and Bedouin historical researcher Fahad Akhu Rasheeda noted that Northern Bedouin tradition links this conjunction to Qiran Sab’at 'Ashar (the 17th Conjunction) during Al-Sufri, the transitional period between summer heat and autumn rains.

The term "Sufri" refers to yellowing of wild grasses rather than the Islamic month of Safar. Bedouin tradition tracks seasonal changes through a folk calendar tied to these lunar alignments, preserved in local proverbs that link early rains to abundant pastureland and desert truffles.

Sakaji noted that while this celestial event serves as a traditional seasonal marker, it has no direct causal effect on weather patterns.

The Jordanian Astronomical Society plans to observe and document the alignment using telescopes and specialized cameras, offering a "unique" opportunity to connect ancient local lore with modern astronomical science.

//Petra// HA