The 2018 Lyrid meteor shower over Ontario, Canada. Nasa
The 2018 Lyrid meteor shower over Ontario, Canada. Nasa
The 2018 Lyrid meteor shower over Ontario, Canada. Nasa
The 2018 Lyrid meteor shower over Ontario, Canada. Nasa

Massive meteor shower to light up UAE skies next week


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

A large meteor shower is expected to light up UAE skies next week.

The Geminids meteor showers occur annually from December 7 to 17, peaking predictably on the night of December 13.

But experts said this year’s show could be even more spectacular.

The shower is strengthening because the stream of debris generated by the Geminids has thickened over time.

You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. All you really need is a clear sky

On average, it has recorded more than 100 meteors per hour during the height, but this year, experts said it will reach 150 per hour, with one visible every 24 seconds or so.

However, in 2014, there were 253 meteors at the peak, and experts said it could reach up to 300 meteors – which tend to be fast and yellow – per hour this year.

According to Dubai Astronomy Group, conditions will be particularly good this year because the new moon will be on December 14, meaning there will be no moonlight to interfere with the view.

“You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower,” said Dubai Astronomy Group chief executive, Hasan Al Hariri. The group is hosting a paid-for event to observe the event on the evening of Sunday, December 13.

Enthusiasts are hoping to see as many as 150 meteors an hour at the height of the Geminids shower.
Enthusiasts are hoping to see as many as 150 meteors an hour at the height of the Geminids shower.

“Even though all you really need is a clear sky.”

According to forecasts on BBC, the skies should be favourable on big coastal cities to see the showers.

For the best viewing experience, sky gazers can get a secluded viewing spot as far as possible from the city lights.

Using an app like MeteorActive, which is free, can help locate a good viewing spot.

The Geminids are among several meteor showers that occur throughout the year.

However, they are the only showers not generated by a comet, but from what appears to be an asteroid, called 3200 Phaethon, according to Nasa.

How it generates the debris is, however, a mystery. There are several theories, many of which have been dismissed by Nasa.

One of the most popular theories is Phaethon is a rock comet.

“The problem with this theory is that it doesn't account for the amount of dust in the Geminid stream,” said Nasa.

“So what it comes down to is that the Geminid parent object is a mystery.”

The showers were first spotted in the mid-1800s, but at first they only generated around 10 to 20 meteors an hour.

They have since grown stronger into some of the most significant showers because Jupiter's gravity has tugged the stream of particles from 3200 Phaethon closer to Earth over the centuries, according to Dubai Astronomy Group.

Perseid meteor shower in pictures

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ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY

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Generational responses to the pandemic

Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:

Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.

Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.

Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.

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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

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MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7

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Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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