UAE Skies To Light Up With Perseid Meteor Shower On August 12, Best Viewing Spots Revealed
The Perseids, one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year, are caused by Earth passing through a trail of debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle. The best time to catch the shower is during its absolute peak, which this year falls between Tuesday, August 12, and Wednesday, August 13.
For those in the UAE, the best way to enjoy the spectacle is to find a spot away from city lights. The Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a special viewing event at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the highest peak in the country. The ticketed event offers a curated experience for astronomy enthusiasts.
Event program at Jebel Jais: 11:15 PM – Event introduction
11:45 PM – Talk: Perseids meteor shower
12:30 AM – Sky mapping session (stories in the sky)
01:00 AM – Q & A session
01:30 AM – Telescope observation
If you prefer to go on a solo stargazing adventure, there are several other recommended locations in the UAE known for their dark skies, including: Al Quaa Milky Way spot: A quiet, open area about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi.
A quiet, open area about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi. Al Qudra desert: A regular spot for stargazing events, located about an hour and a half drive from Abu Dhabi.
A regular spot for stargazing events, located about an hour and a half drive from Abu Dhabi. Hatta (Hajar mountains): Situated about two-and-a-half hours from Abu Dhabi, this mountain location offers a good spot to view the night sky.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
UAE Skies To Light Up With Perseid Meteor Shower On August 12, Best Viewing Spots Revealed
The annual Perseid meteor shower is back, offering stargazers across the UAE a celestial treat tonight, August 12. Although a bright moon may obscure some of the fainter meteors, the shower is still expected to be a magical experience for those who look to the night sky. The Perseids, one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year, are caused by Earth passing through a trail of debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle. The best time to catch the shower is during its absolute peak, which this year falls between Tuesday, August 12, and Wednesday, August 13. For those in the UAE, the best way to enjoy the spectacle is to find a spot away from city lights. The Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a special viewing event at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the highest peak in the country. The ticketed event offers a curated experience for astronomy enthusiasts. Event program at Jebel Jais: 11:15 PM – Event introduction 11:45 PM – Talk: Perseids meteor shower 12:30 AM – Sky mapping session (stories in the sky) 01:00 AM – Q & A session 01:30 AM – Telescope observation If you prefer to go on a solo stargazing adventure, there are several other recommended locations in the UAE known for their dark skies, including: Al Quaa Milky Way spot: A quiet, open area about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi. A quiet, open area about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi. Al Qudra desert: A regular spot for stargazing events, located about an hour and a half drive from Abu Dhabi. A regular spot for stargazing events, located about an hour and a half drive from Abu Dhabi. Hatta (Hajar mountains): Situated about two-and-a-half hours from Abu Dhabi, this mountain location offers a good spot to view the night sky.
Gulf Insider
06-08-2025
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain Skies To Dazzle With Rare Celestial Events
Astronomy enthusiasts in Bahrain are in for a spectacular treat, as multiple celestial phenomena are set to illuminate the night skies from the evening of Monday, August 11, until just before sunrise on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The phenomena will be visible for 10 hours and 52 minutes, provided weather conditions allow for clear skies. Bahraini astronomer Ali Al-Hajri revealed that the rare astronomical sequence includes sightings of Mars, Saturn, the Moon, the Perseid meteor shower, and a striking conjunction of Venus and Jupiter — all in one night. The night will begin with the planet Mars appearing low on the western horizon shortly after sunset. Mars will be 95% illuminated and positioned at an altitude of 28 degrees, gradually descending as the evening progresses. The planet will be 325 million kilometers from Earth, and its light will take approximately 18 minutes and 4 seconds to reach observers. Later in the evening, stargazers will witness the Moon approaching Saturn in the eastern sky. Starting around 9:30 p.m., the two celestial bodies will be separated by approximately 10 degrees, drawing closer throughout the night. By sunrise on Tuesday, the Moon will be just 7 degrees and 27 minutes from Saturn. The Moon will be in a waning gibbous phase, 92.5% illuminated, and about 370,000 kilometers from Earth — its light reaching the planet in just over one second. Saturn, meanwhile, will be almost fully illuminated (99.9%) and located at a distance of 1.3 billion kilometers, with its light taking over one hour and 13 minutes to arrive.
Daily Tribune
06-08-2025
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain skies to dazzle with rare celestial events
Astronomy enthusiasts in Bahrain are in for a spectacular treat, as multiple celestial phenomena are set to illuminate the night skies from the evening of Monday, August 11, until just before sunrise on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The phenomena will be visible for 10 hours and 52 minutes, provided weather conditions allow for clear skies. Bahraini astronomer Ali Al-Hajri revealed that the rare astronomical sequence includes sightings of Mars, Saturn, the Moon, the Perseid meteor shower, and a striking conjunction of Venus and Jupiter — all in one night. The night will begin with the planet Mars appearing low on the western horizon shortly after sunset. Mars will be 95% illuminated and positioned at an altitude of 28 degrees, gradually descending as the evening progresses. The planet will be 325 million kilometers from Earth, and its light will take approximately 18 minutes and 4 seconds to reach observers. Later in the evening, stargazers will witness the Moon approaching Saturn in the eastern sky. Starting around 9:30 p.m., the two celestial bodies will be separated by approximately 10 degrees, drawing closer throughout the night. By sunrise on Tuesday, the Moon will be just 7 degrees and 27 minutes from Saturn. The Moon will be in a waning gibbous phase, 92.5% illuminated, and about 370,000 kilometers from Earth — its light reaching the planet in just over one second. Saturn, meanwhile, will be almost fully illuminated (99.9%) and located at a distance of 1.3 billion kilometers, with its light taking over one hour and 13 minutes to arrive.
