Amman, Aug 12 (Petra) – The skies over Jordan and the wider region are set to witness the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower from Tuesday night until dawn on Wednesday, caused by Earth’s passage through debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, which orbits the Sun every 133 years.
Despite difficult viewing conditions this year with the peak coinciding with a waning gibbous Moon and lingering dust and clouds astronomers told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the spectacle remains one of the year’s brightest and most varied meteor showers, urging enthusiasts to observe from dark locations away from city lights.
Hanna Sabat, Director of Scientific Affairs and Training at the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, said the shower would peak between the nights of Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, with an expected 50–75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, though the rate depends heavily on location, latitude and observation time. This year, moonlight will significantly reduce visibility, but meteors will still be visible in the days around the peak.
Sabat explained that most meteor showers originate from comet or asteroid debris whose orbits intersect with Earth’s. As the planet crosses these trails, particles – some no larger than a chickpea – enter the atmosphere at tremendous speeds, burn up from friction with atmospheric gases, and ionize the air, producing bright streaks across the sky. Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, giving them their name.
Jordanian Astronomical Society President Ammar Al-Sukaji said the Perseids’ peak theoretical rate is about 100 meteors per hour, but this year’s moon phase and heavy dust will sharply limit viewing. In Jordan, the radiant will be highest after midnight, with meteors generally visible to the northeast, though observers should scan all directions while lying back for the best experience.
Perseid particles range from sand grains to bean-sized fragments. Larger pieces produce brilliant fireballs lasting several seconds, entering the atmosphere at speeds over 216,000 kph and heating to around 1,650 C before burning up 70–100 km above Earth. The shower is entirely harmless, as almost all fragments disintegrate before reaching the ground.
The Swift-Tuttle comet last passed perihelion in December 1992 and will next do so in March 2126. It is currently about 6.4 billion km from Earth and requires large telescopes to observe. Its elongated orbit makes it of special interest to astronomers.
Ali Al-Taani, professor of astrophysics and space sciences at Al-Balqa Applied University, said this year’s peak will see only about 10–20 meteors per hour under prevailing conditions, or roughly one every five minutes. The shower runs annually from July 17 to Aug. 24, with meteors visible after 10 p.m., increasing after midnight, and best viewed around 5 a.m. Wednesday local time. He advised escaping city lights, choosing an open site, and allowing 20 minutes for eyes to adjust to darkness.
//Petra// AF
12/08/2025 22:11:48
