UAE residents to witness beautiful celestial phenomenon

In November, residents of the United Arab Emirates can observe a beautiful astronomical phenomenon in the sky – meteor shower Leonids. The peak of its intensity will be at night from 17 to 18 November, in the sky you can see up to 15 meteors per hour.

According to NASA, the speed of Leonids, bright and fast meteors that can be observed every year in November, is 71 kilometres per second. The starfall takes its name from the constellation of Leo, where its radiant is located, and is formed from the remnants of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which approaches the Sun every 33 years. The intensity of the flux varies from year to year.

This year, the Leonids may be less visible because their peak intensity will coincide with the super moon, which happens every 3-4 years. Due to the bright light of the Moon, meteors may be less visible against the bright night sky.

However, the Dubai Astronomy Group is organising an event in the Al Qudra desert for anyone wishing to watch the star shower. Participants of the event will be provided with telescopes for viewing and will also be given a lecture on the super moon, meteors and other celestial objects.

On 15 November, the Beaver Moon will be observable in the evening sky. The name of the November full moon comes from ancient times and is associated with beaver hunting. In November, these rodents prepare for winter.

Beavers are active during dark hours, and the Beaver Moon helped Native American hunters better track their prey. People noticed that the animals were especially active in building dams and stockpiling food in mid-November, and correlated this fact with the full moon.

This full moon will be a powerful super moon at the same time, because the Moon will be at its closest distance from Earth in 2024 and will look bigger and brighter than always.

Source: Khaleej Times