The skies of the UAE will witness the Leonids meteor shower this November, peaking between November 17 and 18. The Emirates Astronomical Society explained that the Leonids are one of the most famous annual meteor showers, occurring when Earth passes through the orbital path of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, leaving behind dust and debris. The Leonids are characterized by their high speed, producing bright meteors with long tails. Under ideal conditions, one can usually see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour. Ibrahim Al-Juwaineh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society, stated that during this November's peak, the Moon will be in a waning crescent phase, meaning low lunar illumination, which will help in better visibility of the meteors. He also noted that approximately every 33 years, as the comet approaches the Sun, the Leonids can produce a meteor storm reaching hundreds or even thousands of meteors per hour, a rare event. The comet's next return is expected in 2031, so a significant increase in Leonid activity may occur between 2031-2033. The comet's last return was in 1998-1999, which led to very strong meteor storms in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Al-Juwaineh pointed out that the best time for viewing is after midnight until dawn in the direction of the Leo constellation. The eastern part of the sky is best at the beginning of the night, as the Leo constellation appears in the east after midnight. The peak time is from 2 AM until dawn, although meteors may appear in any part of the sky. For the best view, it is advisable to stay away from city lights and prefer nights when the Moon is absent or its light is weak, especially during the first and last three days of the lunar month.
