Springtime might not bring us the floral bouquet of meadows and gardens that the rest of the world gets, but skies in the UAE will brighten up with a different kind of April showers this week – the Lyrid Meteor Showers.
As the oldest recorded meteor showers in the world, the Lyrids are known for fast, bright flashes and the occasional fireballs streaking across the heavens that have consistently delighted humans for the last 2,700 years. Historical documents show Chinese astronomers from 687 BCE describing them as “stars that fell like rain”.
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What causes the Lyrid Meteor showers?
Originating from the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which orbits the sun approximately every 415 years, the Lyrid meteor showers form when the debris from the comet enters Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of around 49 km/s and burns up into blazing darts of light.
As the Lyrids appear to radiate from the harp-shaped constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega, one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere, they get the name “Lyrids.”
When to see the Lyrids in the UAE
As one of the most consistent and regular meteor showers, the Lyrids dazzle the skies without fail every year between April 16 and 25, with activity peaking around April 22-24. The best time to view them in the UAE is right after midnight and before dawn, when the sky is at its darkest, recommends the Dubai Astronomy Group. Expect to see around 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
The best part, though, is, you don’t need telescopes or binoculars to see them and can photograph them easily with a DSLR or mirrorless camera set to the right exposure settings.
Best dark spots in the UAE to see meteor showers
Dark spots like deserts, open fields or elevated mountainous locations away from city lights are perfect to see them.Just find an isolated area, lie back and watch the skies. That the Lyrids are happening around a crescent moon this year means better visibility thanks to limited moonlight.
Abu Dhabi
1. Al Quaa in the Razeen Desert, considered the UAE’s darkest spot, offers spectacular views of every meteor shower and even the Milky Way.
2. Liwa Oasis is another spot in the capital that offers clear sightings of celestial events, located in the vast Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert that’s untouched by artificial light.
Dubai
3. Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve has minimal light pollution thanks to its protected status, and is a favourite amongst astronomers.
4. Al Qudra Desert is perfect if you want to camp out at night amidst the manmade lakes and wide expanses of open, unlit spaces to view meteor showers.
5. Hatta’s elevated setting in the Hajar Mountains and low light pollution levels make for a scenic stargazing spot.
6. Al Lehbab Desert’s red dunes and silent vastness are perfect if you want to off-road into the wilderness yet be close enough to city limits while watching the Lyrid meteor showers.
Ras Al Khaimah
7. Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain, provides clear, dark skies because of its high altitude.