Riyadh: The skies of the Arab world will witness the peak of the Delta Aquariids meteor shower in the hours before sunrise on Thursday, in an annual astronomical event considered one of the most prominent celestial phenomena attracting stargazing and astrophotography enthusiasts. A number of meteors are expected to be visible to the naked eye in locations far from light pollution.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society Majed Abu Zahra said the Delta Aquariids meteor shower could reach around 25 meteors per hour under the best observing conditions. He noted that the best time to observe the phenomenon begins at around 3 a.m., as the shower's radiant rises over the southern horizon, with activity continuing until the onset of dawn.
He added that the Delta Aquariids meteor shower is active annually from July 12 to August 23, as its particles enter Earth's atmosphere at a speed of approximately 41 kilometers per second. He said the shower's activity will continue for several weeks after its peak, although moonlight this year will reduce the number of meteors that can be observed with the naked eye.