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The Qatar Calendar House on Thursday said that planet Earth will reach the closest point in its orbit around the Sun — known as perihelion—on the evening of the day after tomorrow, Saturday, 14 Rajab 1447 AH, corresponding to 3 January 2026. At that time, Earth will be at an approximate distance of 147 million kilometers from the Sun, about five million kilometers closer than it was in July of last year.Dr. Bashir Marzouq, an astronomy expert at the Qatar Calendar House, stated that Earth reaches perihelion at the beginning of January each year, while it reaches the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun-known as aphelion-during the month of July.He noted that variations in the distance between the Earth and the Sun are not the cause of climatic changes on Earth's surface. Rather, this variation plays an important role in determining the lengths of the four astronomical seasons. He emphasized that this phenomenon is entirely natural and has no negative effects on the inhabitants of the planet, contrary to claims made by non-specialists.Dr. Marzouq further pointed out a striking paradox: despite Earth being closest to the Sun in January, which corresponds to winter in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures are low. Conversely, when Earth is farthest from the Sun in July—summer in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures are high. This is due to the angle of incidence of solar radiation. In winter, the Sun's rays strike the Northern Hemisphere at a more oblique angle, causing them to pass through a longer path in the atmosphere and lose a significant portion of their heat. In summer, the Sun's rays fall more directly, traverse a shorter atmospheric path, and therefore retain more of their heat. The situation is entirely reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.It is worth noting that Earth, like the other planets, orbits the Sun in an elliptical (oval-shaped) path, with the Sun located at one of the two foci of the ellipse. Consequently, Earth has the nearest point in its orbit called perihelion and the farthest point known as aphelion.

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has announced its comprehensive sports calendar for 2026, featuring 83 championships across the year. The schedule includes 39 international events, 16 world championships, 10 Asian tournaments, three GCC competitions, one Arab championship, and 14 domestic events, underscoring Qatar’s continued role as a global sporting hub. The 2026 season begins in January with a strong lineup led by the first tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix, followed by the WTT Contender and the second leg of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix. The month also includes the Asian Shotgun Cup, the fourth International Series Qatar Golf Championship, Doha FIP Padel Tournament, the third and fourth tours of HH the Father Amir Cup Equestrian Prix, Qatar Fencing Grand Prix (Epee), the first PSA Qatar Satellite Squash tournament, WTT Youth Star Contender, and the Doha FIP Padel Bronze tournament. February continues the momentum with the Qatar Masters Golf Championship, Qatar TotalEnergies WTA Open, and National Sport Day celebrations held alongside the QOC Half Marathon. Other highlights include HH the Amir’s Sword International Equestrian Festival, Qatar ExxonMobil ATP Open, Doha International Basketball tournament, CHI Al Shaqab, and the Second Satellite Squash championship. March is marked by several high-profile international events, including the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers, the Longines Global Champions Tour, Al Shaqab Cup, VW Beach Pro Tour Elite16, Qatar Olympic Committee Equestrian Cup, and the much-anticipated Finalissima football match between Argentina and Spain. April stands out as one of the busiest months, featuring the Qatar Basketball Cup final, Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup, and the 40th Amateur Qatar Open Golf Championship. The schedule also includes the Qatar Volleyball Cup final, GCC Tennis Championships (U12-16), Qatar Major Premier Padel tournament, FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, eFIBA World Cup, Amir Cups in basketball, volleyball and handball, the first ITF Qatar Junior Tennis Championship, and the closing ceremonies of the girls’ and boys’ Olympic Schools Programs. Football takes centre stage in May with the HH the Amir Football Cup final and Qatar Football Cup final. The month also features the Qatar Junior Open Squash Championship, the second ITF Qatar World Tennis Junior Tour, West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour (men and women), Diamond League Athletics meeting, Asian Junior Tennis Championships, FIBA U23 3x3 Youth Basketball League, PSA World Bronze Seniors tournament, and Asian Beach Volleyball Tour. In May, Qatar will also host the fourth GCC Games, bringing together elite Gulf athletes to compete across 18 sports at nine venues. June and July include the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, Olympic Day celebrations, and the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers. August sees Doha host the FIVB U-17 World Volleyball Championship, alongside the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. September features the FIBA Asia U-18 Cup 2026, FISU World University Weightlifting Championship, and QTerminals Qatar Classic squash. October continues with the PSA 4 Challenger Senior Tournament, the sixth Qatar Open Taekwondo Championship, and the season’s first international junior tennis tournaments. November is another peak period, highlighted by the Youth Games, World Padel Championship, ISSF World Shooting Championship, PSA 5 Challenger Senior tournament, Asian Junior Tennis Championships, T100 Triathlon World Championship final, Doha FIP Padel Bronze and Promises tournaments, Arab Men’s Golf Championship, and the fifth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers. The calendar concludes in December with the ITF Qatar Men’s Tennis Championships, the 11th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, 3x3 Basketball World Tour, and GCC Golf Championships for juniors, boys, women and girls, bringing the 2026 season to a close. Commenting on the announcement, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the QOC, said the approval of the 2026 calendar reflects integrated institutional planning and the scale of sporting activity scheduled for the year. He noted that the events were prepared according to precise organisational and technical standards, ensuring coordination with national federations, optimal use of venues and efficient execution. He added that the calendar serves as a central reference for planning and implementation across the sports sector, supports the readiness of national federations, and reinforces the sustainable hosting of events in line with Qatar Olympic Committee strategic objectives and the broader development of the national sports ecosystem.

The November 2025 edition of Qatar Calendar features a diverse line-up of international sporting events, major exhibitions, live performances and community festivals. From the FIFA U-17 World Cup and Formula 1 to Geekdom and the Doha Film Festival, the month celebrates Qatar’s mix of sport, culture and creativity through more than two dozen events across the country. This month Qatar will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 from Nov 3 to 27 across multiple stadiums, marking the country’s third FIFA tournament. In addition, the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Grand Prix 2025 returns to Lusail International Circuit from Nov 28 to 30, complemented by post-race concerts featuring global music icon Seal (Nov 28) and legendary rock band Metallica (Nov 30). Motorsport and automotive enthusiasts can also look forward to The Grand Auto Show 2025 at Qatar National Convention Centre from Nov 20 to 22, and the Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition from Nov 19 to 23 at The Pearl’s Medina Central. Lusail Marina Corniche will also host the DBRQ 1st International Dragon Boat Tournament from Nov 21 to 23, welcoming international teams in a celebration of teamwork and sport. For martial art fans, UFC Fight Night makes its Qatar debut on Nov 22 at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, marking the first-ever appearance of the iconic Octagon in Doha. Additional sporting highlights this month include the QTRI Katara Aquabike & Aquathlon on Nov 8 at Katara, the Theeb Ultra Marathon on Nov 21–22 in Zekreet, and the Colorway Marathon at Aspire Park on Nov 28. Entertainment takes centre stage with a packed line-up of concerts and shows. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan headlines the Da-Bangg Tour at Asian Town Amphitheatre on Nov 14. On Nov 28, Lebanese legend Najwa Karam lights up Al Mayassa Theatre at QNCC with a concert featuring her most beloved hits. On the comedy front, Alaa El Sheikh brings his stand-up special High on Pain to U Venue Theatre on Nov 22. From Nov 1 to January 31, Winter in Msheireb transforms Msheireb Downtown Doha into a festive destination filled with lights, music and seasonal cheer. Geekdom 2025, Qatar’s largest pop culture gathering, runs from Nov 18 to 22 at Lusail Boulevard, while Tunisian Nights in Doha, Nov 27-28, brings North African rhythms to Souq Waqif. Meanwhile, Carbone Beach returns to Al Maha Island from Nov 28 to 30 with its exclusive lifestyle showcase. Two heritage-driven events headline early November. The Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show takes place from Nov 5 to 8 at the Al Shaqab Outdoor Longines Arena, while the Qatar Boat Show 2025 at Old Doha Port will showcase marine craftsmanship and design over the same dates. From Nov 6 to 10, Mafareed Challenge Festival 2025 gathers camel owners from across the GCC for competitions and cultural displays in Al Shahaniya. At Katara Cultural Village, Doha Film Festival 2025 runs from Nov 20 to 28, offering screenings, workshops and networking for global and regional talent. Rounding out the month, Brouq 2026 launches in Zekreet from Nov 26, offering a luxury desert retreat with glamping, dining and cultural activities until Jan 17. Coffee enthusiasts can explore the world of beans, brews and baristas at Tegahwa International Coffee Exhibition, running from Nov 6 to 14 at Galleria AlHazm. Qatar Sustainability Week kicks off the month from Nov 1 to 8, marking its 10th edition with nationwide environmental activations led by Earthna. This month will also see tourism and innovation take the spotlight with three key forums. Qatar Travel Mart 2025 will be held at DECC from Nov 24 to 26, convening travel leaders, airlines, DMCs, and hospitality providers. WISE 12 Summit returns to QNCC (Nov 24-25), exploring the theme “Humanity.io” and the intersection of values and technology in education. Meanwhile, MWC Doha 2025, the Middle East debut of the iconic Mobile World Congress, will take place on Nov 25-26 at Doha Exhibition & Conference Center (DECC), uniting tech and telecom leaders under the themes of AI Nexus, Intelligent Economies and Connected Industries.

For many, the lunar eclipse on Sunday was a fascinating experience, with Qatar providing a conducive setting for residents and visitors to witness a one-of-its-kind celestial phenomenon.Speaking to Gulf Times, Manoj Mishra, visiting from Bengaluru, India, shared his excitement and cited the exceptional arrangements made at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park for observing the rare occurrence.He said he saw the entire eclipse from start to finish, and lauded the efforts of Qatar authorities, including the Qatar Calendar House (QCH) and the MIA, noting the ample provision of telescopes offering “very clear picture of the moon”.Noting that he was also able to capture photographs of the event, Mishra compared his experience to previous eclipses and noted that while he had seen them in his youth, the excitement remains.“It always looks new, and it’s exciting to see the astronomical events of such nature,” he said, stressing that despite seeing past eclipses, each one offers a fresh sense of wonder.The visitor described the atmosphere at the viewing location as “so very ambient, good atmosphere, people are very cool and calm”.Mishra observed attendees engrossed in watching the moon’s phases and mingling within a well-organised crowd.Citing the event’s inclusive atmosphere, he noted the presence of children, elderly individuals, young people, and families, which contributed to its broad appeal.Faisal Khan from Nepal echoed these sentiments.“This is my first time to see an eclipse, it is pretty good, especially here in Qatar, like people are enjoying here, to be here, and it’s looking pretty cool,” he said.Khan detailed the moon’s changing colours and phases, noting how it was “now half is black, half is lighted”.Observing through a telescope, he described the moon’s appearance as having a “brownish while other is grayish or its natural colour”.Khan found the view through the telescope to be “very clear” and mulls buying one in the future – impressed by the one he used courtesy of the QCH.The QCH, in partnership with the MIA, hosted this public viewing event at the MIA Park.This initiative, along with observations at Katara Cultural Village and other locations across the country, allowed a significant number of visitors to witness and study the lunar eclipse.The rare astronomical event coincided with the full moon of the lunar month, it is learnt.As previously announced by the QCH, the partial eclipse began at approximately 7.27pm, followed by the start of the total eclipse at 8.30pm.Mazem from Jordan was accompanied by his children.“This is our first time,” he said. “I came here for my son and my daughter to witness the phenomenon. We are happy to see it.”Muhib from Bangladesh was fascinated at seeing an eclipse in Qatar, having witnessed a solar eclipse in his home country previously, which he described as a “mesmerising spectacle” that occurred during the daytime and was seen by many in his village.A Filipino family also took advantage of the telescopic viewing.The mother observed a “golden yellowish colour” during the moon’s transformation and expressed delight that her two children could also witness the event in Qatar.Many attendees used their mobile phones to capture the moment, some even taking photos and videos of the clearer images displayed through the advanced telescopes.The MIA Park came alive with families and individuals who not only gathered to observe the eclipse but also took the opportunity to enjoy picnics and leisurely strolls.

Qatar Calendar House (QCH) announced that Qatar's skies will witness a total lunar eclipse Sunday evening, September 7, 2025 (5 Rabi' al-Awwal 1447 AH) coinciding with the full moon of lunar month.All phases of the eclipse will be visible across the country. The partial eclipse will begin at 7:27 pm local time, followed by the start of the total eclipse at 8:31 pm. The eclipse will reach its peak at 9:12 pm, when Earth's shadow will cover more than the entire lunar disk (136.2%).To mark the occasion, QCH, in collaboration with Museum of Islamic Art, will host a public viewing event at the museum's park, where visitors can observe the eclipse through advanced telescopes.QCH highlighted that this is a rare and significant astronomical event, as Qatar will not witness another total lunar eclipse for more than three years - specifically until December 31, 2028. Events like these also demonstrate precision of astronomical calculations, especially those related to Hijri calendar.The total phase of the eclipse will end at 9:53 pm, while the partial phase will conclude at 10:56 pm. Together, the two phases will last 3 hours and 29 minutes.The statement explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight line, with the Earth positioned between the sun and the moon, which must be in its full moon phase.Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be safely observed with plain sight, and photography enthusiasts can also capture striking images using digital cameras.QCH noted that lunar eclipses are visible from anywhere on Earth where it is nighttime during the event. The phenomenon begins when part of the moon enters Earth's shadow, then the entire lunar disk becomes immersed, before gradually emerging again. There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral.