Weather smartphone apps helpful, but background necessary: Meteorologist
My curiosity about astronomy began at a young age: Saadoun
Kuwaiti professionals are interviewed by Kuwait Times to learn more about the nature of their jobs, and changes and challenges they have faced during the pandemic. The following are excerpts from Kuwait Times’ interview with astronomer and meteorologist Adel Saadoun.
Kuwait Times: Tell us about your journey as an astronomer and weather forecaster.
Adel Saadoun: My curiosity about heavenly bodies, galaxies and planets began when I was a teenage boy. I started reading books about the sun, moon and stars. My curiosity took me to our national library, where I was able to feed my hungry mind. Until now I read books, because I find answers to all questions in my mind. In my house I have the most advanced telescope that I use to observe the solar system.
Kuwait: How often do you use your telescope? Saadoun: When I was young, I had a smaller telescope that I used almost every day. But the telescope I have now is huge and needs at least two people to set up before you can use it. I use it to observe heavenly phenomena, eclipses, planet conjunctions and sometimes to enjoy the galaxies and nebulae. I am 70 years old and my activities are drastically reduced. Most of the time I prefer to stay at home, especially during this pandemic.
Kuwait Times: How did you become a weather forecaster?
Saadoun: When I was young, I had a habit of writing about weather conditions in Kuwait that I used to record in a small notebook daily. I got the proper history of our weather, which helped me with my predictions, although now you can easily predict the weather through modern technology. That small notebook is still with me today and it’s quite accurate. It launched my addiction to studying weather conditions in Kuwait.
I also got interested in studying geography, and got a degree in geography from Kuwait University, specializing in atmospheric sciences related to weather forecasting. If we are talking about the weather, we must know the main factors affecting the weather. Today, a lot of people predict the weather just by looking at mobile applications. Certainly you can use them as they are based on science, but it is dangerous if you have no background of weather patterns.
Kuwait Times: Tell us something about your famous Aladdin House in Fintas?
Saadoun: I built this house to be my sanctuary. It is colorful and cozy with a wide and spacious living room and a lofty ceiling. I want to go home after a long day of work and have a good feeling about the place where I stay. I feel rested when I go home and see the decor. I have plants and colorful frescos and friezes - it’s a warm and happy house.
This house has a mix of architecture from Central Asia, Europe and a bit of Arabic touch as well. If you look at the dome of my house, the design was borrowed by Arabs from Central Asia, particularly Mongolia, from where it spread to Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and other countries in the region. I completed the house in 1995, two years before I retired from my Shuaiba Port job. My conviction is if you cannot make a house better, make no house at all.
I built my house to be my sanctuary