Incredible meteor shower to take place over the UAE

In August 2023, residents and visitors to the UAE will be able to enjoy the most beautiful celestial phenomenon – the Perseid meteor shower. The annual stargazing event is known for its incredible spectacle, colourfulness and brilliance.

The peak of stargazing is expected to begin around 20:55 GST on 12 August and last until dawn on 13 August. It is worth noting that 2023 will be an ideal year to observe the celestial phenomenon, as the moon is only 10 per cent illuminated and the intensity of falling meteorites at peak is more than 100 per hour.

As explained by Sarath Raj, project director of Amity Dubai Satellite Ground Station and AmiSat, the Perseids are debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, whose orbital period around the sun is 133 years. The point of emission of the meteor shower is in the constellation Perseus. The meteor shower begins each year on 23 July and ends on 22 August, peaking between 12 and 13 August.

Although the Perseid meteors are mostly made up of tiny particles ranging in size from a grain of sand to a pea, they collide with the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of more than 60 km/h and immediately burn up, leaving spectacular light streaks of blue, green, yellow and white colours in the sky.

Mr Raj also noted that according to the forecasts of scientists who have studied the orbit of the comet, the collision with the Earth it does not threaten at least another 2000 years.

Recall that in June 2023, residents of the UAE had the opportunity to observe the miracle meteor June Bootid, the peak of the phenomenon occurred on 27 June. The meteor was visible in Dubai from the moment of sunset until 5 a.m., when its point of emission fell below the horizon.

Source: Khaleej Times

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