The Perseids have passed their main 2026 peak, but the show is not over. The meteor shower remains active until August 24, and people in the UAE can still look for meteors from a dark location this weekend.
There is also another organised viewing night. Dubai Astronomy Group has added a bonus event in Al Khatim Desert, Abu Dhabi, from 11pm on Saturday, August 15, until 3am on Sunday, August 16.
Can you still see the Perseids after the peak?
Yes, although the number of visible meteors usually falls after the busiest night.
The International Meteor Organization lists the Perseids as active from July 17 to August 24. The main maximum arrived on August 13, with a broader peak spanning the night of August 12 into August 13. A new moon kept the sky unusually dark this year.
The often-quoted figure of 100 meteors an hour is not a promise of what one person will see. It is an ideal rate used by astronomers for a perfectly dark sky with the shower's radiant high overhead. City light, haze, clouds and the observer's location can all reduce the real count. The International Meteor Organization also said the background rate in 2026 was expected to be lower than that headline figure.
When should you look?
The best chance is after midnight and before dawn. Give yourself at least an hour outside because meteors do not arrive on a schedule. A quiet spell can be followed by several streaks within a few minutes.
You do not need a telescope. Meteors can appear across a wide part of the sky, so the naked eye gives you a better view. Find a safe place, sit or lie back, and allow 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust. Keep phone screens dim or put them away.
Check the weather before leaving. Cloud, dust and humidity can make an otherwise dark site difficult for stargazing.
The August 15 guided event
Dubai Astronomy Group's bonus event runs from 11pm on August 15 to 3am on August 16 at Al Khatim Desert in Abu Dhabi. The programme includes an introduction to the Perseids, sky mapping, a question-and-answer session, telescope observations and time for meteor watching.
The organiser lists adult admission at AED 180 and tickets for children under 13 at AED 160. A separate AED 110 return-transport add-on is listed from National Paints Metro Station. Advance registration is required, and availability may change.
The exact desert pin is sent after registration. Dubai Astronomy Group says a standard car can reach the parking area, although a 4x4 is recommended, and a shuttle covers the final kilometre. There is no public transport to the venue.
Where to watch independently
If you would rather go on your own, the main requirement is distance from city light. Al Qudra is a practical option from Dubai, while Mleiha in Sharjah has established astronomy experiences and open desert surroundings. Darker, more remote areas can offer a better sky, but only use legal and safe access points.
Do not stop on a road shoulder or drive into an unfamiliar desert track. Tell someone where you are going, bring water, and choose a place where you can park safely without damaging the landscape.
What causes the Perseids?
The shower happens when Earth crosses dust left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. Those tiny particles hit the atmosphere at high speed and burn up, creating the brief streaks usually called shooting stars.
They appear to come from the constellation Perseus, which gives the shower its name. You do not need to find Perseus to watch. Look toward the darkest, widest part of the sky instead.
The peak night offered the highest expected rate, but the remaining activity and the extra guided event give UAE skywatchers another chance this weekend. Dark skies, patience and a clear view matter more than equipment.
Sources
International Meteor Organization 2026 Meteor Shower Calendar: https://imo.net/files/meteor-shower/cal2026.pdf
NASA 2026 astronomical events: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/watch-the-skies/2026/01/16/most-notable-2026-astronomical-events-a-year-of-watching-the-skies/
Dubai Astronomy Group bonus event: https://dubaiastronomy.com/event/perseids-meteor-shower-2026-bonus-event/
Visit Sharjah guide to Mleiha: https://www.visitsharjah.com/en/regions/central-region/mleiha/
Planning a night at Al Qudra
If Al Qudra is your choice, arrive before dark so you can identify a safe parking area and understand the route back before the sky turns black. Stay on public roads and marked tracks. Desert navigation can become confusing at night, even when the city looks close on a map.
Love Lake is one familiar Al Qudra destination with parking and open surroundings. Dubai.News has a separate practical guide to the area: https://dubai.news/local-attractions/love-lake-dubai-is-the-desert-wonder-you-wont-forget/ The lake is not an official Perseids event, so visitors remain responsible for checking access, local rules and conditions before travelling.
What to bring
Take more water than you think you will need, a fully charged phone, a power bank and a torch. A red-light setting is useful because bright white light resets your night vision. Closed shoes are a sensible choice on uneven ground. If you use a mat or chair, place it on firm ground away from vehicle routes.
Keep the site quiet and leave it as you found it. Do not light a fire unless the location expressly permits it, and take all rubbish home. Anyone travelling alone should share the destination and expected return time with a friend or family member.
