RIYADH — The rising of the star Suhail on the southern horizon at dawn Monday, Aug. 24, heralds the signs of the end of summer season in the Arabian Peninsula. The Suhail star is the most-anticipated star in the Arab world as it finally signals the end of summer and the gradual beginning of cooler days in the desert regions. Residents of the Arabian Peninsula are awaiting the appearance of the Suhail star in one of the most well-known celestial signs associated with seasonal change in the region. Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, said that with Suhail rising shortly before sunrise, a transitional phase begins during which the peak of summer heat gradually recedes, and nighttime temperatures begin to moderate little by little, while the angle at which the sun's rays fall changes as earth approaches the autumnal equinox.He said that the Arabs in the past considered the appearance of Suhail as a good omen, as it coincides with the declining in the angle of the sun's rays, the gradual shortening of the day, and a drop in temperatures at the end of the night. Abu Zahra noted that Suhail, internationally known as Canopus, is the second-brightest star in the night sky after Sirius. It is about 310 light-years from earth. Suhail has held a special place among Arabs since ancient times, as its appearance was a seasonal indicator used by people of the Arabian Peninsula to mark the beginning of a new period of the year. In popular tradition, it has been associated with a decline in heat intensity and changes in weather conditions. Abu Zahra noted that the appearance of Suhail does not, by itself, cause changes in the weather, as the star is extremely distant and has no climatic effect on earth. Rather, its appearance coincides with the natural annual changes resulting from earth's movement around the sun and the tilt of its axis.