Dubai: Stargazers are in for a celestial treat on Thursday night as the Geminid meteor shower will light up the sky of the UAE and other countries in the world.
The Geminid meteor shower is described as the most intense annual display of shooting stars.
The meteors are very bright, moderately fast, and are unusual in being multi-coloured – mainly white, some yellow and a few green, red and blue.
Astronomers define the bright yellow meteors as the cosmic remains of the icy asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
The annual meteor show happens every year in the period between December 7 and 17, with Individual slow-burning meteors breaking out, reports Albayan.
The Geminid meteor shower will then intensify on Wednesday night, before reaching its peak on Thursday night, corresponding to December 14.
Stargazers can safely enjoy the dazzling display of the Geminid meteor shower, which will be visible to the naked eye, without any need for telescopes or binoculars.
Astronomers estimate that stargazers could see up to 120 meteors lighting up the night sky every hour at its most prolific peak.