A Guide to Stargazing in Wadi Rum, Jordan’s Dark Sky Enclave

The Orion and Canis Minor constellations and Sirius above the horizon on a cold winter night

Eerik

What you’ll see in the skies above Wadi Rum

In Wadi Rum, the night sky is so clear that even without a telescope, familiar patterns emerge with striking clarity. The Milky Way spans the sky from end to end, showcasing a dense river of stars that seems almost tangible. It’s a constant presence, anchoring the sky and drawing the eye upward.

Among the most recognizable features is Orion’s Belt—three bright stars in a straight line, forming the center of the Orion constellation. To locate it, look southward during winter evenings; the belt points downward towards Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, and upward toward Aldebaran, a red giant in Taurus.

The Big Dipper, part of Ursa Major, is another prominent asterism. Its distinctive “ladle” shape makes it easy to identify. To find Polaris, the North Star, trace a line from the two outer stars of the Big Dipper’s bowl; this leads directly to Polaris, which remains nearly fixed in the sky, marking true north.

As the night deepens, planets like Jupiter and Saturn come into view—steady points of light that don’t flicker the way stars do. It’s a small distinction, but once you notice it, you start picking them out easily. Now and then, a meteor crosses overhead, gone almost as soon as it appears, and the longer you stay with the sky, the more there is to take in.

A colony of bubble tent camps at Wadi Rum at sunrise

emson

Where to stay in Wadi Rum

Every camp in Wadi Rum understands its greatest asset is the sky. The desert’s natural conditions do most of the work, but many properties build on that with thoughtful design and guided experiences. Most offer access to astronomers or trained guides who walk guests through the constellations, pointing out planets, stars, and subtle differences that might otherwise go unnoticed.