UAE Skies to Illuminate with Perseid Meteor Shower on August 12 — Best Viewing Spots Announced

Stargazers across the UAE are set to witness one of the year’s most anticipated celestial events — the Perseid meteor shower — on the night of Tuesday, August 12, continuing into the early hours of Wednesday, August 13.

Although the peak coincides with a bright moon, which may obscure some of the fainter meteors, astronomy experts still expect a captivating show, with bright “shooting stars” lighting up the night sky.

The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually as Earth passes through a trail of debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, with rates of up to 75 meteors per hour in ideal conditions.

Special Viewing Event at Jebel Jais

The Dubai Astronomy Group will host an exclusive, ticketed event at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah — the UAE’s highest peak — offering a structured night of skywatching.

Event Schedule:

• 11:15 PM – Introduction

• 11:45 PM – Talk on the Perseid meteor shower

• 12:30 AM – Sky mapping session (“stories in the sky”)

• 1:00 AM – Q&A session

• 1:30 AM – Telescope observation

Top Solo Stargazing Locations in the UAE

For those who prefer to enjoy the meteor shower independently, experts recommend heading to dark-sky locations away from urban light pollution, such as:

• Al Quaa Milky Way Spot – Around 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, known for minimal light interference.

• Al Qudra Desert – Popular among stargazers, about 1.5 hours from Abu Dhabi.

• Hatta (Hajar Mountains) – A scenic, elevated location roughly 2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi.

Astronomy enthusiasts are advised to bring warm clothing, reclining chairs, and cameras with wide-angle lenses to fully capture the experience.