2 November 2026
Harmattan stargazing
Why December skies over Abuja look so different, and how to get the best out of the dusty season.
Dr Ngozi Eze, head astronomer (example)
Dust, not cloud
From late November the north-east trade wind carries fine Sahara dust across the country. It is not cloud, so the sky stays dry, but it scatters light. Faint stars vanish first, then the Milky Way, and on the dustiest days even the moon looks orange.
The nights after a breeze
Dust settles when the wind drops and lifts when it picks up again. The clearest nights often come after a breezy afternoon, when the air has been swept for a few hours. Our rooftop weather station logs visibility every ten minutes, and we post a short note on WhatsApp when a good night is coming.
What still shines through
Bright stars and planets cut through the haze easily. Orion, Sirius and the Seven Sisters are all well placed in the evening in December and January, which makes the harmattan season a good time to learn the brightest patterns, even if the faint ones hide.
Cold mornings, steady air
Harmattan nights are cooler and the air is often very steady, which telescopes love. The moon and planets can look sharper in December than in the humid rainy season, even when the background sky is paler.
Try it
Quick tips
Reader questions
Can I ask the author a question?
Yes. Send it in the chat or on WhatsApp and the author answers on the next Telescope Friday.
Can I use this at school?
Please do. The learning team can also run it as a workshop for your class.
