The solar alignment phenomenon occurs annually on 21 December and marks the beginning of the winter solstice.

The sun shines on the main axis of Karnak Temple, passing through the eastern gate and ending at the temple’s main pylon.

During the event, which took place on Wednesday at 6:31am, the sun appears in the middle of the temple’s eastern gate and then illuminates the sacred parts of the site, including the open courtyard, the hall of columns, and the sanctuary of the god Amun.

Fathi Yassin, Director General of Antiquities in Upper Egypt, said that the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) has provided small telescopes to the temple’s visitors so they can observe the phenomenon.