The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) announced today in a press release the launch of the "Abaad" astrophotography competition, which aims to empower and motivate individuals in the fields of astronomy and space sciences. According to the release, the competition aims to encourage interest in astrophotography and increase scientific awareness of astronomy and space sciences, building a creative and productive community. Saudi Astronaut Ali AlQarni, supervisor of Abaad, emphasized the competition's role in advancing space education and inspiring a new generation of astronomers. "The Abaad competition also aligns perfectly with SSA's mission to enrich Arabic content in space sciences and foster a community passionate about exploring the cosmos," said AlQarni. The competition features three main categories: "Deep Space," targeting professional astrophotographers with a focus on capturing galaxies, nebulae, and stars; "Solar System," welcoming both amateurs and professionals to showcase their talents in photographi ng planets, the sun, moon, and comets; and "Saudi Space," encouraging participants to combine celestial beauty with Saudi Arabia's rich heritage by capturing images that connect astronomical objects with local landmarks. The submission period for the competition runs from today until November 15. SSA invites photographers interested in participating to visit the official website at www.SSA.gov.sa/Abaad. Source: Saudi Press Agency