The Leonids Meteor Shower is happening this week. Here's where you can catch it in the UAE
In the mood for a sky show you can capture, edit, and keep for posterity’s sake? You are right on time for the Leonids Meteor Shower, which will rain down the skies on Nov 17 and Nov 18 (Tues and Wednesday). Peak viewing is at 3am although some groups will set out their telescopes as early as 10pm. The Leonids are an annual event caused when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by…
The Leonids Meteor Shower is set to grace the UAE skies this week, specifically on November 17 and 18. The best time to catch this celestial event is at 3am, although some enthusiasts will start observing as early as 10pm. The Leonids occur annually when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Earth every 33 years.
As the Earth moves through this stream of particles, they enter our atmosphere at a speed of about 71km/s, producing meteors that appear to originate from the constellation Leo.
The Dubai Astronomy Club recommends Al Qudra Desert as one of the top spots to observe the meteor shower. Newcomers to stargazing can register for their event from November 17 to 18, where they will learn about what to watch for, mythology associated with the night sky, and constellation spotting. A professional setup will also be available for attendees.
Another recommended location is Mleiha National Park in Sharjah, a 65km southeast of Sharjah city, offering expansive, clear skies perfect for stargazing. Additionally, Al Quaa Milky Way Spot in Abu Dhabi provides an opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring Milky Way alongside the meteor shower, creating a surreal and unforgettable experience.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
