Perseid meteor shower to light up Oman’s skies

MUSCAT: Oman’s skies are set to offer a spectacular celestial display as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on Wednesday night, August 12, continuing into the early hours of Thursday.

Active from July 17 to August 24, the Perseids are known for their fast and bright meteors, with up to 80 to 100 meteors an hour potentially visible under ideal conditions. The meteors are fragments of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle that enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of around 72 kilometres per second, appearing to radiate from the direction of the Perseus constellation.

This year’s viewing conditions are expected to be particularly favourable, as the peak coincides with a New Moon. The darker skies will make it easier to spot fainter meteors.

The Oman Society of Astronomy and Space recommends heading outdoors after midnight and choosing locations away from artificial light. In Oman, promising viewing locations include the high-altitude landscapes of Jabal Shams and Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, as well as the open expanses of the Rimal Al Sharqiya.

For the best experience, skywatchers should choose a location with a clear horizon and minimise exposure to city and resort lighting. Allowing the eyes time to adjust to the darkness and avoiding bright phone screens can also improve visibility.

Those planning to photograph the meteor shower can use a tripod and a phone or camera equipped with a night-photography mode.

The celestial event is also providing a boost to Oman’s growing stargazing and astro-tourism activities. Oman Skywatchers, a local stargazing tour company, is organising a Perseid experience at Jabal Shams on August 14, featuring an overnight stay, meteor and star observation, telescope sessions and a smartphone astrophotography workshop.

Omani blogger Reem al Harthy has also encouraged skywatchers to seek locations away from city lights to enjoy clearer views of the meteor shower.

For astronomy enthusiasts, the Perseids offer an opportunity to experience one of the year’s most anticipated meteor displays. For Oman’s growing stargazing and tourism sector, the event further highlights the potential of Oman’s dark skies as a unique attraction.