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Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Perseid Meteor Shower in UAE: When and where to watch, full details inside
TL;DR The Perseids are active July 17 to August 23, peaking August 12–13, but moonlight may affect visibility. Best time to watch in the UAE: July 23–24 (new moon) or August 16–26 (post-peak, darker skies). Top stargazing spots: Al Awir Desert , Hatta, and other low-light desert areas. If you live in the UAE and enjoy looking up at the night sky, now's the time. The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most anticipated night-sky events of the year, has returned. Active from July 17 to August 23, it brings bright streaks of light and fast-moving meteors across the sky, often visible without any equipment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Known for fast, bright meteors, the Perseids can produce up to 100 streaks per hour during peak nights. These "shooting stars" come from debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, and they burn up high in Earth's atmosphere, putting on a natural light show. This year, the peak falls on August 12–13, but unfortunately, it coincides with a nearly full moon. That means the sky will be brighter than ideal, which could make most of the meteors harder to see. Still, there are other dates with darker skies where you can catch the show, especially in the UAE's wide open deserts. What Is the Perseid Meteor Shower? Each year, Earth passes through a trail of dust left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. That dust hits our atmosphere at high speed (about 60 km/second) and lights up, creating what we call meteors. The shower gets its name from the Perseus constellation, which is the point in the sky where the meteors seem to come from. But you don't need to find it, just look up anywhere in the sky and be patient. When to Watch in the UAE July 23–24 (Best Viewing Conditions): Just after the new moon, so skies will be darkest. You'll see fewer meteors than at peak, but visibility will be much clearer. Just after the new moon, so skies will be darkest. You'll see fewer meteors than at peak, but visibility will be much clearer. August 12–13 (Official Peak): This is when the most meteors will occur (up to 75/hour), but the 84% full moon will wash out many of them. Only the brightest streaks will be visible. This is when the most meteors will occur (up to 75/hour), but the 84% full moon will wash out many of them. Only the brightest streaks will be visible. August 16–26 (Late Window): After the full moon fades, skies get dark again. Meteor rates drop slightly, but viewing improves. A solid second chance if you miss the peak. Where to Stargaze in UAE You'll need to get away from light pollution to see anything clearly. Here are a few recommended places: Al Awir Desert (Dubai): Not too far from the city, but remote enough for dark skies. A popular and easy-to-access stargazing spot. Hatta (2 hours from Dubai): Mountain air, desert surroundings, and minimal light. Great for overnight trips and casual camping. Al Quaa Desert (Abu Dhabi): One of the darkest locations in the UAE, and ideal for serious stargazing. Additionally, the Dubai Astronomy Group will host a stargazing event on August 12, right during the Perseid peak. The event will include expert guidance, telescope stations, and desert camping vibes. Details are coming soon, check their site or Instagram for updates. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Viewing Tips: How to Get the Most Out of It Avoid city lights. Head out to a desert or low-light area. Let your eyes adjust. It takes 20-30 minutes for full night vision. Skip the gear. No telescope needed, meteors are best seen with your eyes. Limit phone use. Screens ruin your night vision. Watch for at least an hour. Meteors often come in clusters, with pauses in between. Bonus: Milky Way Viewing on July 26 If you're into more than just meteors, there's an extra celestial treat this month. On Saturday, July 26, the Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a Milky Way gazing event in Al Quaa Desert, Abu Dhabi. This event is all about taking in the full arc of the Milky Way Galaxy, which will be fully visible in the dark desert sky, with no city lights in the way. Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer or just want to experience a quiet night under the stars, this is a great chance to connect with the night sky. The Perseids will still be active during this time, so you may even catch a few meteors too. FAQ 1. Do I need a telescope to see the Perseids? No. Meteors are best seen without any equipment. Just lie back and look up. 2. Can I watch from my backyard or rooftop? Only if you're far from city lights. In most urban areas, light pollution will block your view. 3. What time is best for meteor watching? After midnight is usually the best time, that's when the most meteors are visible.
Time Out
7 days ago
- Science
- Time Out
Catch the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore this August – here's how to see it
If there's one celestial event worth losing sleep over this year, it's the Perseids meteor shower. Peaking in the early hours between August 12 and 13, this dazzling display is one of the most anticipated astronomical shows of 2025. And yes, you can see it from Singapore if conditions are right. Before you start frantically googling, here's everything you need to know about catching the Perseids in Singapore. What is the Perseids meteor shower? Each year, Earth drifts through a trail of debris left behind over millennia by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As the comet orbits the Sun, it sheds dust and particles along its path. When this cosmic debris collides with Earth's atmosphere, it burns up, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky – that's the meteor shower we see. Occasionally, you might even spot fireballs – these are extra-bright bursts that shine longer and more dramatically than your average shooting star. When will the Perseids meteor shower be visible in Singapore? This galactic spectacle is active from July 17 to August 24, 2025. However, the peak of this event occurs between August 12 and 13. The best times to view the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore are from 3am to 6am, when the skies are darkest and the shower is at its most intense. Can I see the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore with my naked eye? Cross your fingers and hope for clear skies as that's when you'll get the best view of the meteor shower, no special equipment needed. But if the weather doesn't quite play along, you can always bring out a telescope or binoculars to enhance the experience. You'll also want to give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness so it's best if you avoid looking at your screens and phone. Where is the best place to view the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore? For the best experience, set up your stargazing spot in an open area with unobstructed views and elevated ground. This helps minimise light pollution and gives you a better chance of catching the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore. Try heading to places like the Marina Barrage, East Coast Park or Upper Seletar Reservoir Park if you're looking for a more secluded spot to gaze at the stars. Remember to bring a mat, some snacks, a portable fan and mozzie repellent – it's still Singapore after all.
North Wales Live
21-07-2025
- Science
- North Wales Live
Two epic meteor and fireball displays are about to light up the night skies
Two separate meteor showers will overlap in the coming days, giving ample scope for seeing shooting stars. In fact there's a third shower happening later this month – but this one is fainter and only viewable in the southern hemisphere. Taking pride of place will be the ever reliable Perseids, often considered the year's best meteor shower. At their peak, between 50 and 100 meteors will streak across the night sky each hour. The Perseids originate from Comet Swift-Tuttle, a short-period comet that orbits the Sun every 133 years. As Earth crosses its dust trail, tiny fragments hit the atmosphere at up to 45 miles per second, igniting into rapid, glowing trails. Their displays began on July 17 and they will run until August 23, peaking overnight around August 11-12. The peak period is usually amongst the highlights of the annual stargazing calendar. Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said: 'The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers of the year because it produces bright meteors and is one of the most active. "There's also a high chance of seeing fireballs, which are very bright meteors, as well as meteors with long trains during the Perseid meteor shower.' This year, however, there's a complicating factor. In mid August, the full Sturgeon Moon is likely to wash out the displays, leaving only the brightest meteors visible. For this reason, it may be better to look out for Perseids either side of the peak when the skies are darker. Clouds permitting, this week is a decent time, especially around the new Moon on July 24. You won't need any special equipment. Best time for viewing them is in the early morning, between midnight and dawn. However, some may be visible earlier, said RMG. RMG, which hosts the Royal Observatory, said: 'The radiant of the Perseids is actually always above the horizon as seen from the UK, which means that observers in the UK should be able to see some meteors as soon as the Sun sets. Therefore, it is worth looking up in the early evening.' Other meteors displaying already, in both northern and southern skies, are the Alpha Capricornids. Unlike the Perseids, they will peak on July 29-30 when the Moon is in its waxing crescent phase, meaning there will be much less light pollution. This shower isn't particularly prolific, yielding only around five meteors per hour at its peak. But where they lose out in quantity, they make up for in quality, blazing brightly across the night sky, some as fireballs. Scientists estimate this meteor shower originated about 3,500 to 5,000 years ago when half of the parent comet disintegrated. The Earth began orbiting through some of the resulting dust cloud only recently. By the 24th century, most of the dust trail is expected to be in Earth's path. In two centuries from now, the Alpha Capricornids are predicted to become a major annual meteor storm, stronger than all current showers. How to view meteor showers As always, it's best to find a dark spot away from city lights – and one that gives the maximum field of view. Hills and mountains are ideal, but parks and the countryside are fine too. Chose a night with clear skies and, ideally, mimimal Moon glare. If peak shower viewing is not possible – poor weather, full Moon – Royal Museums Greenwich said the days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after. It added: 'Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so that you can catch more of the fainter meteors – this does mean that you should avoid looking at your phone!' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Tonight — Here's When To See It At Its Best
This week sees the start of the year's most famous meteor shower, the Perseids. Peaking each August, the Perseid meteor shower is the most popular and celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere thanks to its coinciding with warm summer nights, but this year, an awkwardly-timed full moon means some careful planning is required to avoid a washout. A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseid meteor shower in Vinton, California, Aug. ... More 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Clifford, File) AP2009 The Perseid meteor shower is active from July 17 through Aug. 23, peaking overnight on Aug 12-13. The peak night provides around 50-75 meteors per hour, but in 2025 that will be reduced by about 75%, according to the American Meteor Society. The problem in 2025 is a full sturgeon moon, which rises on Aug. 9 and will still be very bright on Aug 12-13, rising just as the peak of the Perseids gets underway and remaining in the sky for the rest of the night. The darkest skies closest to the peak are from July 18-28 and Aug. 16-26, all far from the peak nights, with only very reduced rates possible. July 29-30 sees the peak of two other meteor showers — the Southern delta Aquariids, which offers 25 shooting stars per hour, and the alpha Capricornids, with about five, though they tend to be bright "fireballs." Another option is to wait until Aug. 15, when the moon will rise around midnight close to the Pleiades open star cluster. If you're planning to observe meteors, make sure the moon will be down. After all, it's the biggest light polluter there is in the night sky and will render pointless a trip to dark regions on a light pollution map or a Dark Sky Place. As well as a dark sky, a clear sky is required, so check the weather forecast in advance. Find somewhere with a clear view of as much of the night sky as possible, packing extra layers to keep warm, as well as bug spray, snacks and drinks. Be patient, giving your eyes at least 30 minutes to dark-adapt before expecting to see shooting stars. Take a break every 30 minutes and avoid looking at a smartphone, which will kill your night vision. The Giant Comet That Causes The Perseids All meeor showers are caused by streams of dust and debris left in the inner solar system by comets or large asteroids. In the case of the Perseids, it's Comet Swift-Tuttle, which at 16 miles (26 km) has the largest nucleus of any comet known to regularly pass close to Earth. That's about twice the size of the asteroid believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, according to It was last in the inner solar system in 1992 and will next visit in 2125. Forbes NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go By Jamie Carter Forbes Get Ready For The Shortest Day Since Records Began As Earth Spins Faster By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind By Jamie Carter
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
This Stunning Meteor Shower Will Illuminate the Sky With Up to 100 Shooting Stars Per Hour
The Perseid meteor shower, caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, is currently active and will peak on August 12, offering up to 100 meteors per hour. Due to the full moon occurring just days before the peak, moonlight may hinder visibility of fainter meteors, making July 18 to 28 a better viewing window despite fewer meteors. Best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, the Perseids are visible to the naked eye from dark locations during the pre-dawn hours, with meteors appearing to originate from the Perseus Fourth of July fireworks displays may be long gone, but nature is planning its own sparkling spectacular soon—the annual Perseid meteor shower. It's active right now and will last through late August, according to When viewing a meteor shower, you are seeing pieces of comet debris that heat up and burn as they enter the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in bright bursts of light streaking across the sky. According to NASA, the Perseids occur when Earth passes through the debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseid meteor shower is predicted to peak on August 12, when Earth travels through the densest and dustiest part of the comet debris. Per NASA, stargazers can typically see an average of 50 to 100 meteors per hour during this time. These meteors travel at an average of 37 miles per second, making it one of the best meteor showers of the year. Unfortunately, this year's peak takes place just three days after a full moon, so the moonlight may make it difficult to spot fainter meteors, with only the very brightest shooting stars visible. Because of this, you may want to observe the shower from July 18 to 28, when moonlight is at a minimum, suggests Live Science. The rate of shooting stars will be much lower, though. The Perseids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the pre-dawn hours, though it is possible to see them as early as 10 p.m. To see the light show, head out around 11 p.m. local time (or in the pre-dawn hours of August 11 and 12) to the darkest location you can find. You won't need a telescope or binoculars to see the celestial display, as it's visible to the naked eye. According to NASA, the Perseids' radiant (where the shooting stars appear to originate from) is in the Perseus constellation in the northeastern sky. Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to emanate. Though Perseus isn't the easiest to find, it follows the brighter, more prominent constellation Cassiopeia, which is known for its "W" or "M" shape that's formed by five stars. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
