Year’s Final Meteor Shower to Light Up UAE Skies on December 13th
The Geminids Meteor Shower will streak across in Dubai’s Al Qudra Desert with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
Skywatchers in the UAE are in for a celestial treat as the year’s last meteor shower, the Geminids, graces the night skies on December 13th. The Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) is organising a special viewing event at the Al Qudra Desert, offering a prime location to experience the annual phenomenon.
Under optimal conditions, the Geminids Meteor Shower can deliver up to 120 meteors per hour. Named for their apparent radiant point in the Gemini constellation, the meteors are not linked to Gemini itself but are fragments from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As these fragments burn upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, they create vivid streaks of light.
First observed in 1862, the Geminids are unique for originating from an asteroid rather than a comet, giving their meteors a denser composition and slower burn. Despite potential lunar glare, the brighter meteors should remain visible to the naked eye.
The event will take place from 9 PM to 1 AM at Al Qudra Desert. Tickets cost AED 150 for general entry, AED 120 for children under 13, and AED 100 for DAG members. Observers are advised to avoid telescopes, focus on the darkest parts of the sky, and enjoy the dazzling display.
