THE LIGHT FANTASTIC: UAE STARGAZERS CAN FILL THEIR DIARIES FOR A SPECTACULAR 2024
▶ A lunar eclipse and meteor showers are among the highlights of the coming year, writes Sarwat Nasir
UAE stargazers are urged to keep their eyes on the skies next year, with a series of celestial events to look forward to. Meteor showers, a supermoon and a lunar eclipse will all be in the sights of enthusiasts in the year ahead.
A growing number of people in the Emirates have a passion for astronomy, with many attending events held by local organisations.
Sheeraz Awan, general manager of the Dubai Astronomy Group, told The National that hundreds of people show up to their observation events, as compared with only 20 to 30 people in 2014.
“The number of people who have been participating with us has grown significantly,” he said.
“So many people get in touch with us about the meteor showers, and we also let them know of all the multiple locations that they can go for observation.”
About 800 people attended a comet viewing event that the astronomy group held earlier this year.
With plenty astronomical events visible in the UAE’s skies this year, The National takes a look at some of the top ones.
Quadrantids meteor shower
This event spans both 2023 and 2024, taking place from today until January 16, but it is likely to peak on January 3 and 4.
Up to 200 meteors an hour streak will across the skies when the shower is at its high point. Visibility depends on favourable weather.
Quadrantids are also known for their bright fireball meteors – larger explosions of light and colour that persist for longer.
Vernal equinox
An equinox is when the day and night are the same lengths all over the world.
The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night globally.
This equinox is set to take place on March 20 and 21. The year’s autumnal equinox is on September 22.
Lyrids meteor shower
These are the oldest recorded showers and are at their peak from April 22 to 23.
The shower has been observed for 2,700 years, with Chinese astronomers recording the phenomenon in 687BC.
Meanwhile, the Eta Aquarids shower – which is associated with Halley’s comet – takes place on May 6 and 7 and may be visible from the UAE.
Supermoon, Buck Moon
This will be the first supermoon of the year and will take place on July 21.
It is a phenomenon when the Moon is closer than usual to the Earth and appears much larger than usual.
It is commonly referred to as a Buck Moon to signify the new antlers that emerge on a deer buck’s head around this time.
Perseids meteor shower
This takes place from July 14 to September 1 and are at their peak from August 12 to 13.
If skies are clear, these are one of the best meteor showers to observe, with about 50 to 100 meteors an hour.
They move fast and are also known to produce fireballs.
Sturgeon Moon
This will be a full moon that will appear in the UAE’s skies on August 19. It is called
Sturgeon Moon because of the abundance of fish in the Great Lakes during this month hundreds of years ago.
Saturn at opposition
On September 8, the planet Saturn will be “in opposition”.
At this time, Earth is between the Sun and Saturn. From Earth, Saturn is on the “opposite” side of the sky to the Sun.
It appears closer and brighter from Earth, giving sky gazers a unique opportunity to observe the planet and its rings.
Lunar eclipse and Harvest Moon
A rare celestial event will take place on September 18, which includes a Harvest Moon and a penumbral lunar eclipse.
The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox.
But it might not be too visible because of a penumbral lunar eclipse, which is when only the outer shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon.
An annular solar eclipse will take place two weeks later in parts of South America, but will not be visible in the UAE.
Orionids, Leonids and Geminids meteor showers
The last three months of the year will include meteor showers, with possibility of high visibility if the weather in the UAE is favourable.
The Orionids shower will peak from October 21 and 22, while the Leonids will be visible on November 18.
The Geminids peak from December 13 and 14. These are set to be the most visible of the year in the Emirates, with about 120 meteors an hour shooting across the sky.