MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
A spectacular celestial display is set to light up UAE skies this week as the annual Perseids meteor shower reaches its peak. For stargazers hoping to catch the show, Abu Dhabi's deserts are the place to be, experts say.
Situated away from city lights, Abu Dhabi's Al Quaa and Al Khatim are considered among the darkest sites in the country, making them ideal spots for skywatchers, said Khadijah Hasan Ahmad, operations manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG).
"Any location with a clear horizon, minimal light pollution and low humidity will provide a great opportunity to enjoy the meteor shower," she told Aletihad.
This year's Perseids, set to peak on the night of August 12-13, are expected to be particularly favourable, falling near a New Moon that will reduce moonlight and improve visibility.
Those looking up at the night sky could spot up to 100 meteors an hour with ideal viewing conditions, according to the DAG.
The Perseids occur annually as Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a 26km-wide comet that completes an orbit around the Sun every 133 years. Tiny particles released by the comet burn up in Earth's atmosphere, creating the bright streaks known as shooting stars.
For photographers hoping to capture the display, Khadijah recommends using a tripod and enabling Night Mode on smartphones that support it, keeping the device completely still and using a timer or remote shutter to minimise vibrations.
DSLR and mirrorless camera users are advised to use a wide-angle lens, manually focus on infinity, and set a wide aperture of around f/2.8, an ISO between 1,600 and 3,200, and exposure times of about 15 to 20 seconds.
"Every year, the Perseids remind us that astronomy is not only about distant planets and galaxies, but also about experiencing the universe directly above us," said Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, chief executive of the Dubai Astronomy Group. "This year is particularly special because several celestial events will come together, creating a night that astronomy enthusiasts will remember for years."
Spot Some Planets Too
Alongside the meteor shower, observers will be able to view Saturn throughout the night, while Mars will rise before dawn. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible through telescopes, though their faint appearance will make them harder targets.
Skywatchers using binoculars or telescopes may also catch Comet 10P/Tempel 2, a periodic comet that returns to the inner solar system every 5.4 years. The comet reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on August 2, and is expected to remain visible as a faint object from dark-sky locations.
The DAG will host an observation event in Al Khatim Desert from 11pm on August 12 until 3am the following day, offering guided sky tours, telescope observations and astrophotography sessions.
Aside from the visual spectacle, such events can offer insights into the evolution of the solar system. "Meteor showers remind us that space is an active and constantly changing environment," Khadijah said. "Events like this help us better understand how comets travel through our solar system and how they continue to shape it over time."