Miss the Perseids? These are the UAE meteor showers you can still spot this year

It’s been a big week for celestial events, with both a total solar eclipse seen in parts of Europe and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower raining shooting stars across the sky. And for those who missed them – or simply can’t wait for the next – there’s plenty more astronomical excitement still to come before 2026 is out. Here are the dates and events of note, along with tips for the best way to see them across the UAE.

Orionids

When: 2 October to 7 November (peak 21-22 October)

Considered to be one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year, the Orionids peak in mid-October. Travelling at around 66 kilometres per second into Earth’s atmosphere, these meteors, which break off from Halley’s Comet, are among the fastest and brightest of the year, often leaving glowing trains in their wake. Some even look like fireballs and can last for several seconds.

Leonids

When: 6 November to 30 November (peak 16-17 November)

Soon after the Orionids peak, it’s the Leonids’ turn to put on a show. Though much less frequent than the Orionids or Perseids, with up to three meteors an hour, Leonid meteors can be particularly bright and often colourful. They are also among the fastest meteors in the sky, and can travel at speeds of up to 71 kilometres per second. There’s also a high chance of fireball meteors during the Leonids, and every 30 years or so, the Leonids produce a meteor storm, where up to 1,000 meteors are visible per hour. The last event was recorded in 2002, so we can expect a meteor storm within the next decade.

Geminids

When: 4 December to 17 December (peak 13-14 December)

This is one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year. Visible across the globe, Geminid meteors glow bright yellow and travel fast, with up to 120 shooting across the sky per hour. Meteors can be spotted from as early as 9 or 10pm, if the skies are dark enough, making it one of the most universally watched meteor showers, as many others peak in the early hours. While most meteors originate from comets, Geminids come from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid.

Courtesy Mleiha National Park