MUSCAT : The peak of the shower is expected to occur on Monday evening, extending into the early hours of Tuesday morning.

According to a report from the Oman Astronomical Society (OAS), the Perseid meteor shower is one of the most popular and observable meteor showers of the year. Ashwaq bint Nasser Al Siyabi, member of OAS Executive Committee, explained to the Oman News Agency that meteor showers occur when Earth intersects the orbit of a comet and encounters debris left behind.

In the case of the Perseids, Earth passes through debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet. As these dust particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of approximately 72 kilometers per second, they burn up, creating bright streaks of light in the sky.

During its peak, the Perseid meteor shower can produce between 60 and 100 meteors per hour, particularly visible from dark locations away from light pollution. This annual phenomenon, which began in mid-July, is known for its bright meteors, often referred to as fireballs. The Swift-Tuttle comet, responsible for the Perseids, has a 130-year orbit around the sun and its nucleus is about 26 kilometers in diameter, shedding numerous fragments into space. Recent surveys have shown that the Perseids produce more fireballs than any other meteor shower.

Al Siyabi advised that the best viewing conditions involve finding a dark spot away from city lights and obstacles such as tall trees, with the ideal viewing direction being northeast, near the Perseus constellation. Observers should look for meteors after midnight on Monday until just before dawn on Tuesday. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for astronomical photography enthusiasts to capture stunning images of the Perseid meteors, as well as other celestial objects visible during this period, including the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn.

The Perseid meteor shower is a visually captivating event that can be enjoyed with the naked eye, providing a moment to reflect on the wonders of the universe.

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