A rare astronomical event was witnessed in the city of Petra, where a supermoon appeared above the Siq aligned with the Treasury, creating an exceptional scene documented directly from the front of the monument by the Pioneers Association for Astronomical Tourism, in cooperation with the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority.
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Dr. Ammar Al-Sakaji, professor of theoretical physics, explained that this phenomenon coincides with the major lunar standstill, which occurs every 18.6 years. During this cycle, the moon reaches the extreme limits of its orbit around Earth, rising and setting from the farthest points north and south on the horizon—making its appearance in Petra during this period both rare and remarkable.
Mamon Al-Nawafleh, researcher and head of the Pioneers Association for Astronomical Tourism, noted that the moon rises over Petra at an angle of 57 degrees northeast, the maximum angle of moonrise during the lunar standstill. As it moves across the horizon, it gradually shifts to reach an inclination of 62 degrees at the moment it appears above the Siq next to the Treasury—an angle that closely matches the astronomical orientation of the monument itself. This is also the same angle at which the sun rises in Petra during the summer solstice.
This remarkable astronomical alignment confirms that the Nabataeans conducted long-term systematic observations of celestial bodies before constructing the Treasury, reflecting an advanced level of astronomical knowledge that they incorporated into the architectural orientation and planning of their city.
Al-Nawafleh and Al-Sakaji emphasized that the Rose-Red City is rich with features of archaeoastronomy, stressing that the association, in cooperation with the Petra Authority, will organize future observational and tourism events to document additional significant astronomical phenomena at the site.
This observation renews focus on Petra’s scientific and cultural significance and highlights the unique astronomical and architectural legacy left by the Nabataeans more than two thousand years ago.
