The UAE is set to witness the Geminids meteor shower, with more than 100 shooting stars per hour expected to streak across the night sky. The meteor shower, active from November 19 to December 24, will peak on December 14, appearing even brighter due to the absence of the Moon.
The Dubai Astronomy Group anticipates around 120 meteors per hour at its peak, describing the Geminids as one of the most spectacular meteor showers. Importantly, it doesn’t require special equipment to view; stargazers are advised to find a dark spot away from city lights. Groups in the UAE are organizing guided viewing sessions, such as at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah and the Al Qudra desert by the Dubai Astronomy Group.
The Geminids, bright and fast meteors reaching speeds of up to 127,000kmph, are associated with an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. This is in contrast to most other meteor showers, which are linked to comets. Since their first appearance in the mid-1800s, the Geminids have grown to become one of the major meteor showers.
