The annual Perseids meteor shower is set to light up the Dubai night sky this August, with its peak activity expected overnight between August 12 and 13. Astronomers in the UAE and across the Northern Hemisphere look forward to this event every year, as the Perseids are renowned for producing some of the brightest and most consistent shooting stars - often leaving dramatic, lingering trails as debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle burns up in the Earth's atmosphere. 

This year, the Perseid meteor shower is active from July 17 to August 23, but the very best viewing will be during its peak in mid-August. It’s expected there will be 89% illumination on August 12 and 80% illumination on August 13.

Under ideal conditions, up to 75 meteors per hour can be seen at the peak. However, this year’s display will coincide with a nearly full ‘Sturgeon Moon’, which is expected to reduce meteor visibility by about 75%, leaving only the brightest meteors visible against the moonlit sky. Stargazing enthusiasts are encouraged to seek locations far from city lights to improve their chances of seeing the show.

Early risers and keen astronomers may get better views in the days leading up to the peak. The Dubai Astronomy Group and similar organisations are planning public stargazing events to mark the occasion. For the best experience, it is recommended to arrive before midnight, allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and look towards the northeast, where the meteors will appear to originate from the constellation Perseus.

Despite some natural challenges this year, the Perseids remain one of Dubai’s most anticipated celestial events.