Follow a day in the life of an astronomer searching for planets beyond our solar system as she explains how she observes Ramadan and celebrates her family’s traditions. Astronomer, astrophysicist, and National Geographic Explorer Munazza Alam is the daughter of a Pakistani father and Indian mother, and a postdoctoral researcher at the Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory in Washington, D.C., focusing on exoplanets. She also shares insights from co-hosting Nat Geo’s How We Explore podcast, which introduces kids to the work of National Geographic Explorers around the world.

For more information on this episode, visit natgeo.com/overheard.

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Follow Munazza's work on her website.

Find out why Ramadan is the most sacred month in Islamic culture, discover five unique traditions Muslims bring to Ramadan celebrations, and learn why these five sites are among the holiest in all of Islam. 

Also explore:

Learn about some of the ways Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan in this Nat Geo article. 

Visit the world’s most exquisite mosques and discover the incredible historic, cultural, and religious insight they provide.

And see how American Muslims celebrate Islam’s holiest holiday in Eid al-Fitr celebrations across the United States.

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