Dubai: Astronomy fans can look forward to this weekend’s spectacular meteor shower, as organisers assure that at its peak, as many as 120 meteors per hour will stream across the sky.
The Dubai Astronomy Group will be holding a stargazing camp at Al Qudra on Thursday December 14, where space enthusiasts can catch the Geminid meteor shower from 10pm to 4am.
In response to the huge number of requests we have received, we are extending the period of Early bird registration till the 11th of Dec 2017.https://t.co/fvAscYXYKo
— Dubai AstronomyGroup (@dubaiastronomy) December 9, 2017
The Geminid meteor shower can be annually observed between December 4 and December 16, with its peak activity being around December 14.
The shower owes its name to the constellation Gemini from where the meteors seem to emerge from in the sky, and can be observed from locations all around the world.
“The Geminids are considered one of the best meteor showers every year because the individual meteors are bright, and the peak can see meteors stream across the sky at rates as high as 120 meteors an hour,” according to the Dubai Astronomy Group.
Registrations for the program can be done on Q-Tickets.com or you can visit Al Thuraya Astronomy Center.
How to View the Geminids
- Get out of the city to a place where city and artificial lights do not impede your viewing
- If you are out viewing the shower during its peak, you will not need any special equipment. You should be able to see the shower with your naked eyes.
- Carry a blanket or a comfortable chair with you. Viewing meteors, just like any other kind of star gazing is a waiting game, and you need to be comfortable.
- Check the weather and moonrise and moonset timings for your location before you leave, and plan your viewing around it.
Source: timeanddate.com
