Perseids meteor shower 2023: How to watch it in the UAE

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Stargazers in the UAE are excited to observe the Perseids meteor shower, which will brighten the sky in the UAE and around the world, on August 12 and 13.

The meteor shower, which can generally be viewed from mid-July to September 1, peaks in mid-August, and is considered the best meteor shower of the year.

The cosmic event will feature about 100 meteors an hour shooting across the sky. The meteors velocity, according to NASA, is 37 miles (59km) per second.

According to the NASA website, “the pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Perseids originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Swift-Tuttle takes 133 years to orbit the Sun once”.

Perseids, which occur with warm summer nighttime weather, often leave long streaks of light and colour in their wake as they shoot across through Earth’s atmosphere.

Perseids are also known for their fireballs. These are larger explosions of light and colour, and can remain longer than an average meteor streak.

How to watch Perseids in the UAE

Visibility in the UAE’s skies will depend on the weather.

While they are visible to the naked eye, using a telescope will improve visibility.

The Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a viewing event at Al Awir desert on Saturday, August 12, from 10pm to 3am. Tickets cost Dh200 to Dh300, and you will need to register.

Join us on the night of the 12th of August till the early morning hours at Al Awir Desert, and witness the Perseid Meteor Shower! Register Now: https://t.co/P2aT8suxyF#meteorshower #stargazingDubai #DAG #perseidmeteorshower2023 pic.twitter.com/q7h9Jb3fYz

— Dubai Astronomy Group (@dubaiastronomy) August 5, 2023