A spectacular celestial show awaits the UAE this week as the Orionids meteor shower reaches its peak, lighting up the skies with streaks of falling stars.
The annual event, caused by tiny fragments from Halley’s Comet entering Earth’s atmosphere, will be visible across the country from 21 to 23 October, with the best viewing expected late Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday. Orionids are named after the constellation Orion, because the meteors seem to emerge from the same area in the sky as the constellation.
Under ideal conditions, stargazers may spot up to 20 meteors per hour. For the clearest view, experts recommend heading to dark, open areas away from city lights, such as Al Qudra Desert, where visibility is best.
To make the experience even more memorable, Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a special stargazing event at Al Qudra Desert tonight, 21 October from 10pm until 2am, featuring telescope observations and night photography opportunities. Located along Al Qudra Road, Al Qudra Desert is just around 45 minutes away from Downtown Dubai.
Tickets start from Dhs 125 onwards. Register now on Dubai Astronomy Group's website.