{
  "id": 27643,
  "title": "Astronomers in UAE await spectacular meteor shower and new moon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/astronomers-in-uae-await-spectacular-meteor-shower-and-new-moon",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-01T11:49:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/01/astronomers-in-uae-await-spectacular-meteor-shower-and-new-moon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The National UAE reports that astronomers in the UAE are eagerly anticipating a spectacular celestial event on August 12, as the Perseids meteor shower is set to coincide with a new moon. This rare alignment is expected to produce exceptionally dark skies, providing optimal viewing conditions for the meteor shower, which is anticipated to be one of the best midsummer meteor watching events in recent years. The Dubai Astronomy Group will host observation events at Al Khateem Art Hub, offering stargazers the opportunity to witness the meteor shower, as well as engage in telescope and astrophotography activities. The Perseids meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the debris tail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered by American astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Parnell Tuttle. The meteors appear to radiate from the Perseus constellation, and optimal viewing time is from midnight through to dawn in areas away from urban light pollution, such as deserts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}