Al Sadeem Astronomy is a privately-owned company registered in The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) that aims to make astronomy accessible to everyone.
From the outskirts of the capital, Al Sadeem Observatory, serving the people since 2016 to explore the cosmos through curated stargazing and guided tours. To cater to the UAE’s growing space sector, it has focused on reinforcing its outreach and contribution to the industry.
Al Sadeem Astronomy is also the only authorized distributor of the revolutionary Vaonis smart telescopes in the Middle East.
A passionate and diverse team powers Al Sadeem Observatory, bringing expertise and dedication to every stargazing experience.
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Financial Director
Marketing & Communications Manager
Lead Optical Astronomy, XR, & Tours
Lead Astrophysicist & AI Specialist
Chief Space & Astronomy Editor –
Ground Operations & Astrophotographer
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Thabet Alqaissieh is the visionary behind Al Sadeem Astronomy, having founded the organization with the goal of making astronomy accessible, engaging, and impactful in the UAE. As Owner and CEO, he leads the overall strategy and direction of the company, driving its growth across public experiences, research, and advanced astronomical imaging. His vision transformed Al Sadeem Astronomy from an idea into a leading observatory, known for delivering high-quality stargazing experiences, producing scientifically accurate astronomical data, and pioneering immersive concepts such as the Cosmic Cube. Under his leadership, Al Sadeem Astronomy continues to expand its role in education, outreach, and collaboration with institutions both locally and internationally.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Financial Director
Serves as the primary decision-maker across operations and financial strategy, working directly under the CEO. Oversees all operational execution, financial planning, and organizational performance, ensuring that all departments align with the observatory’s strategic objectives and long-term growth.
Marketing & Communications Manager
Responsible for overseeing all marketing, branding, and communication strategies. Manages digital presence, partnerships, campaigns, and overall content direction to ensure alignment with the observatory’s vision and growth objectives.
Lead Optical Astronomy, XR, & Tours
Leads all astrophotography operations, including image acquisition, processing, and quality control. Also responsible for overseeing and delivering observatory tours, ensuring a high-quality and engaging experience for visitors.
Lead Astrophysicist & AI Specialist
Leads the scientific direction of the observatory, ensuring accuracy across all research, content, and educational experiences. Also oversees the integration of AI technologies in data analysis, visualization, and advanced astronomical applications.
Chief Space & Astronomy Editor –
Leads the development and refinement of all written content related to space and astronomy. Ensures scientific accuracy, clarity, and consistency across educational materials, website content, and public communications.
Ground Operations & Astrophotographer
Responsible for maintaining the observatory grounds and supporting operational readiness. Also contributes to astrophotography efforts, assisting in capturing and preparing astronomical images.
Every year, students of my classes of visual design at the New York University Abu Dhabi are exposed to real briefs from real clients. For the students of the 2018 ‘Yes Logo’ Class, the task was to redesign the logo for Al Sadeem Astronomy.
Faced with Thabet Al Qaissieh’s brief, students exploded with creativity, exploring celestial themes from Galileo’s sketches to abstract cosmic forms. As discussions deepened, the focus shifted from literal imagery to the emotional essence of astronomy—the wonder, curiosity, and thrill of discovery.
The creation of the Al Sadeem Observatory logo was born from a moment of pure emotion a student’s sketch of a joyful child sparked the vision. Designer Goffredo Puccetti sought to capture the awe of seeing the cosmos for the first time, shaping a logo that evokes the infinite sky and personal discovery. The abstract form reflects telescope optics, the sail-like symbol of Abu Dhabi, and the inner space of the Arabic letter ‘meem’, representing a tribute to Mansour, the Observatory founder’s late brother. Awarded internationally, this design stands as a heartfelt tribute to astronomy, the UAE, and the universal human drive to explore.
Goffredo Puccetti is a graphic designer and faculty of Visual Design at NYU Abu Dhabi.
His research interests span from visual communication to policy making with a special attention to inclusive and cross-cultural design. Prior to joining NYUAD he has been working in Italy, UK and France for blue chip multinational clients all around the world such as: Axa, Mars, NTT Europe, Pirelli, Musée du Louvre, Samick Music.
He has received international accolades for logo design and his students have designed award winning visual identities for prestigious MENA and UAE institutions. Goffredo is deeply invested in the emerging Emirati design scene and has been an invited lecturer in design conferences and schools in the UAE.
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