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RAFHA: The heavens sparkle with countless stars every night, but none commands the attention quite like Sirius, also known as the Dog Star.

This celestial giant has puzzled astronomers and inspired civilizations around the world for millennia, its brilliance outshone only by the sun.

Berjis Al-Fulaih, an Afaq Society for Astronomy member, said: “Sirius operates as a binary star system, featuring a colossal primary star paired with a smaller stellar companion in orbital dance. Positioned just eight light-years from Earth, it stands among our closest stellar neighbors. Yet despite this vast cosmic distance, Sirius boasts nearly double the sun’s mass and burns at extraordinarily high surface temperatures, generating its characteristic dazzling radiance.” 

Throughout history, this stellar powerhouse has accumulated over 50 distinct names across cultures. Western astronomy adopted “Sirius” — meaning scorching or glowing — from ancient Greek, while Arab astronomers dubbed it “Al-Shi’ra Al-Yamaniya.” Its significance extends into religious texts; the Qur’an references it in Surat An-Najm: “And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius.” 

As the dominant star in the Canis Major constellation, Sirius earned the moniker Dog Star. Observers sometimes call it the Rainbow Star due to the way atmospheric refraction creates spectacular multicolored flashing — a natural light show that occasionally triggers UFO reports from witnesses.

Winter skies show Sirius at its finest. The star appears each December evening and is visible nightly until mid-April when it disappears into the southwestern horizon. Amateur astronomers can easily find it by tracing an imaginary line through Orion’s distinctive belt.

Sirius has permeated Arabic literary tradition across generations. Poets wove its brilliance into verse, likening its radiance to flashing swords and gleaming eyes. It became a lasting emblem of splendor and illumination, one of the heavens’ most enigmatic phenomena connecting scientific wonder with ancient lore and artistic expression. For ancient Arab traders, the star served as a crucial navigational aid during seasonal commercial expeditions.

Traditional Najdi astronomy preserves its legacy through figures like Rashid Al-Khalawi, who described stellar observations: “Twenty-five nights hence, Al-Mirzam (the regional name) emerges fierce as a wolf’s heart in brightness.”

RIYADH: JAX District, ��������’s leading creative hub overseen by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, announced on Thursday the launch of JAX Flavors, a culinary initiative designed to celebrate the region’s diverse food entrepreneurs while fostering innovation in Riyadh’s evolving gastronomic landscape.

JAX Flavors provides emerging and established chefs from �������� and the region with a dynamic platform to experiment with new concepts, reach new audiences, and become part of Diriyah’s vibrant creative ecosystem.

Seasonal activation welcomes a range of cuisines and approaches to food, from zero-waste food concepts and artisanal bakeries to street food innovations and full-service dining experiences.

Selected concepts will operate within the industrial heritage site for two to six months, coinciding with major art, design, music and fashion events taking place throughout the season.

The program particularly encourages concepts that demonstrate meaningful community connections and a commitment to responsible sourcing practices.

It seeks new propositions from emerging and established food concepts based in �������� and the region, which embody regional authenticity.

Priority will be given to concepts that demonstrate market uniqueness, strong storytelling around ingredients and sourcing, and a commitment to using high-quality ingredients with sustainable practices. Successful applicants must demonstrate operational readiness.

The application deadline is Sept. 15. For more information and to submit your application, please visit https://jaxdistrict.com/jax-flavors.