Mahmood Hasan

Mahmood Hasan is an Emirati astro-tourism specialist and astronomy educator, and the Lead Astro-Tourism Specialist at Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG), the non-profit astronomy organisation founded in 2000 and licensed in the UAE to promote astronomy and space science. He delivers stargazing experiences, astronomy talks and educational programmes across the Emirates, and guides the astronomy and stargazing components of Arabiers desert experiences under the Arabiers and DAG partnership.

His path into astronomy began in childhood. His father, renowned Emirati astronomer Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, founder and CEO of Dubai Astronomy Group, took the family on monthly stargazing trips into the desert, and Mahmood traces his calling to the first time he saw the Milky Way with his own eyes as a child. Decades and thousands of telescope sessions later, he says the sight of the planets still amazes him every time.

Mahmood combines practical telescope expertise with the rich heritage of Arabian astronomy. Through the stories of prominent stars such as Suhail, traditional celestial navigation and the historical role of the night sky in travel and daily life, he brings a cultural dimension to modern astronomical observation, making the science engaging for guests of all backgrounds and experience levels.

He is also an experienced desert navigator and skilled off-road driver, comfortable operating in remote desert environments and guiding guests to some of the UAE's darkest skies. Speaking to Aletihad, the Abu Dhabi national newspaper, Mahmood named the Al Quaa Milky Way Spot, on the route from Abu Dhabi city towards Al Ain, as the top stargazing site in the UAE, the same skies where he now hosts guests on Arabiers overnight desert experiences.

Mahmood has delivered astronomy and astro-tourism programmes for VIP guests, visiting delegations, corporate groups and international audiences, turning complex astronomical concepts into compelling stories tailored to each audience. His stated goal is to carry forward his father's mission of promoting the science of astronomy and educating the public, in the UAE and around the world.