2025 is already kicking off with a grand celestial start! You wouldn’t believe me if I told you that the first meteor show of the year is happening this weekend, and you’ll be able to catch it with your naked – but it’s all true! The annual Quadrantid Meteor Shower is on it’s way to light up UAE’s skies today, Friday, January 3rd! Known for being one of the world’s most dazzling meteor showers, nothing else like this will appear in UAE until late August 2025, which is why you can’t miss the opportunity. Come with me, and I’ll give you all spectacular details you need to know! (And if you stick around till the end, I’ll even let you in on all the lunar events happening in 2025).
The Most Dazzling Meteor Shower In The World
Unlike regular meteor showers, the Quadrantids originates from an asteroid-comet hybrid called 2003 EH1, discovered in 2003. As this “rock comet” orbits the Sun, it leaves behind a trail of rocky particles. And unlike others celestial events that can be enjoyed over several nights, the Quadrantids are at their best during a short peak window. For us in UAE, the optimal viewing time begins Friday, January 3, at 11 PM, and continues into the early hours of Saturday, January 4. You can use a telescope for better viewing but the meteors will be bright enough for you to see with your naked eye. Just be sure to find a dark, open spot in the desert away from city lights for the best experience. Now all you have to do is lay back, relax, and let the show unfold across the night sky.
Can’t Catch The Show? 15 Lunar Events You Can’t-Miss In 2025
Can’t make it out to see the first meteor shower of 2025? Not a problem because this year is already looking to be jam-packed with more incredible lunar events that are set to amaze you just as much! Let’s take a look at all the key events announced by The Emirates Astronomical Society for 2025:
- January 3: Venus and Saturn align with the Moon after sunset.
- January 4: Saturn will be hidden by the Moon – a phenomenon called an occultation.
- January 13-14: A full Moon will briefly cover Mars after sunset.
- February 1: Venus and the Moon meet after sunset.
- March 2: A crescent Moon pairs beautifully with Venus.
- March 13-14: A dramatic total lunar eclipse, also called a “blood moon,” will paint the sky red.
- March 29: A partial solar eclipse will cast its shadow across the region.
- June 22: Venus, the crescent Moon, and the Pleiades cluster shine together before dawn.
- July 22: A rare grouping of Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent Moon will appear in the pre-dawn sky.
- August 19-20: Look out for Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, and the crescent Moon creating a celestial dance.
- September 7: Another total lunar eclipse awaits.
- September 21: A partial solar eclipse adds a touch of intrigue to the skies.
- October 6: The Harvest Moon will be at its brightest just after sunset.
- November 5: Don’t miss the year’s closest supermoon since 2019.
- December 4: The Cold Moon will be the grand finale of 2025’s celestial displays.
Save The Dates
Make sure you get these dates down in your calendars, so you don’t miss a single event or be sure to keep up with Gulf Buzz because we’ll always be the first ones to let you in on all the spectacular things happening in the UAE. Get ready folks, 2025 has something extraordinary waiting in the sky for everyone!
