{"id":47187,"date":"2026-08-14T06:39:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T06:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=47187"},"modified":"2026-08-14T06:45:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T06:45:32","slug":"perseid-meteor-shower-lights-up-sharjah-skies-with-brilliant-fireballs-delighting-uae-stargazers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/14\/perseid-meteor-shower-lights-up-sharjah-skies-with-brilliant-fireballs-delighting-uae-stargazers\/","title":{"rendered":"Perseid Meteor Shower Lights Up Sharjah Skies with Brilliant Fireballs, Delighting UAE Stargazers."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"47187\" class=\"elementor elementor-47187\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43725a7 e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"43725a7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-773ee7b cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"773ee7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>More than 300 skywatchers gathered at Mleiha National Park, with INSIDER 18 among them, enduring the intense summer temperatures to enjoy a stunning display of meteors across the night sky.<\/h3><h2>Perseid Meteor Shower Creates a Stunning Display Over Sharjah<\/h2><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>A wave of excitement spread through the crowd as bright meteors suddenly appeared across the dark sky. Some spectators reacted with surprise, letting out gasps as the glowing objects flashed overhead, while others celebrated by cheering and applauding. For everyone gathered under the stars, the Perseid meteor shower offered a memorable glimpse of nature&#8217;s spectacular light show.<\/p><p>I was among more than 300 people who gathered at Mleiha National Park in Sharjah to experience the celestial event. Despite the intense summer heat, astronomy enthusiasts, families and curious skywatchers made their way to the desert location in the hope of seeing meteors streak across the night sky.<\/p><p>The gathering provided an opportunity to observe not only the Perseids but also other objects visible in the night sky. People patiently watched the darkness above them, waiting for brief flashes of light to appear.<\/p><p>The Perseid meteor shower continued into Thursday night, producing moments of excitement whenever a bright meteor crossed the sky. Although the number of meteors visible each hour was relatively limited during the observation, the ones that appeared were particularly striking.<\/p><p>Rather than seeing a constant stream of meteors, spectators had to remain patient and keep their eyes trained on the sky. The wait was rewarded when unusually bright meteors suddenly emerged, creating colourful trails before disappearing only seconds later.<\/p><p>During the observation, four particularly bright fireballs were counted. These were not ordinary faint streaks that could easily go unnoticed. Each appeared as a brilliant flash against the dark background, leaving a visible trail of colour as it travelled through the atmosphere.<\/p><p>The fireballs displayed shades of blue, red and white, creating an impressive contrast against the night sky above the Sharjah desert. Their brief appearances were enough to capture the attention of the large gathering, with spectators reacting immediately whenever one became visible.<\/p><p>For many people at Mleiha National Park, the fleeting nature of the display made each sighting even more exciting. A meteor could appear unexpectedly and disappear almost as quickly, meaning observers had to remain alert throughout the evening.<\/p><p>The colourful appearance of the meteors is connected to what happens when material from the meteor burns and interacts with Earth&#8217;s atmosphere. As the object travels at high speed, it heats up and produces the glowing trail that can be seen from the ground.<\/p><p>Different elements present in the material can contribute to different colours. The light produced by vaporised metal atoms in the meteor&#8217;s trail can vary depending on the elements involved.<\/p><p>Magnesium and nickel can contribute to blue-coloured light, while sodium and iron can produce warmer shades such as orange, yellow and red. The combination of these elements can result in the striking colours sometimes visible during a meteor&#8217;s brief journey across the sky.<\/p><p>The fireballs witnessed over Mleiha demonstrated how dramatic these natural phenomena can appear to observers on the ground. Their trails were visible for only a few seconds, but those short moments created some of the most memorable experiences of the evening.<\/p><p>The event also highlighted the appeal of observing the night sky away from bright urban areas. Mleiha&#8217;s desert setting offered visitors an opportunity to look upward with fewer distractions from the surrounding city environment.<\/p><p>More than 300 people gathered at the national park, demonstrating the strong interest in astronomical events among residents and visitors. People came prepared to spend time outdoors despite the summer conditions, knowing that patience would be required to catch the meteors.<\/p><p>For some spectators, seeing a meteor may have been a rare experience. For others, the event offered another chance to observe a familiar annual phenomenon. Regardless of their level of interest in astronomy, the appearance of the bright fireballs generated excitement throughout the gathering.<\/p><p>The Perseids are known for producing meteors that can be seen without specialised equipment when viewing conditions are favourable. At Mleiha, observers simply needed to look toward the night sky and remain attentive.<\/p><p>The experience was not about seeing hundreds of meteors in a short period. Instead, the excitement came from waiting for each individual streak to appear. When a particularly bright fireball crossed the sky, conversations stopped briefly as people focused on the spectacle.<\/p><p>Some spectators gasped when they caught sight of the brightest meteors. Others responded with applause and cheers, reflecting the shared excitement of witnessing something that lasted only moments.<\/p><p>The contrast between the dark desert landscape and the sudden flashes overhead added to the atmosphere. The surrounding silence allowed people to concentrate on the sky while they waited for another meteor to appear.<\/p><p>The four fireballs observed during the evening stood out because of their brightness and colourful trails. Blue, red and white tones could be seen as the meteors moved across the sky, creating a striking visual display.<\/p><p>Their trails were short-lived, with most of the meteors remaining visible for only a matter of seconds. That brief duration meant that anyone looking away at the wrong moment could easily miss the display.<\/p><p>This fleeting quality is part of what makes meteor watching so engaging. Unlike a predictable event that remains visible for a long time, a meteor can appear without warning and vanish almost instantly.<\/p><p>The gathering at Mleiha also showed how astronomy can bring people together. More than 300 individuals shared the same experience, looking toward the same section of sky and reacting collectively whenever a bright meteor appeared.<\/p><p>The event provided an opportunity for people to learn more about why meteors produce different colours. What looks like a simple flash of light is actually the result of physical and chemical processes occurring as material passes through Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p><p>The glowing trails are associated with vaporised material from the meteors. Elements within that material can emit different colours when they become excited and produce light.<\/p><p>Magnesium and nickel are associated with blue hues, while sodium and iron can create orange, yellow or red shades. These variations help explain why some meteors appear white while others can display noticeable colours.<\/p><p>The fireballs seen over Sharjah were particularly impressive because of their brightness. Their intense glow made them easier to spot and gave observers enough time to notice the coloured trails they left behind.<\/p><p>Even though each meteor was visible for only a short period, the experience left a strong impression on those watching. The combination of the desert surroundings, the large crowd and the sudden flashes overhead made the evening feel like a shared celebration of the night sky.<\/p><p>The Perseid meteor shower once again demonstrated how spectacular astronomical events can be when viewed from a suitable location. The display did not require elaborate equipment or complicated technology for spectators to appreciate it.<\/p><p>At Mleiha National Park, people simply gathered beneath the open sky and waited. The anticipation itself became part of the experience, with everyone wondering when the next meteor would appear.<\/p><p>When another bright streak finally emerged, the reaction was immediate. People pointed toward the sky, called out to others and celebrated the brief appearance.<\/p><p>The relatively low number of meteors recorded per hour did little to diminish the excitement because the individual fireballs were so bright. Each sighting became an event of its own.<\/p><p>The four fireballs counted during the observation provided several memorable moments for those gathered. Their blue, red and white trails offered a colourful reminder of the activity taking place high above Earth.<\/p><p>The evening also illustrated how quickly such a celestial display can change. One moment, the sky appeared completely dark; the next, a brilliant streak could flash across it before disappearing.<\/p><p>For spectators, this unpredictability made remaining focused worthwhile. Every moment spent watching increased the possibility of catching another meteor.<\/p><p>The summer heat presented an additional challenge for those attending the event. Nevertheless, more than 300 people were willing to spend the evening outdoors because of their interest in witnessing the Perseid display.<\/p><p>Their presence reflected the popularity of astronomy and night-sky observation in the UAE. Events such as this provide people with an opportunity to step away from their normal routines and experience a natural phenomenon together.<\/p><p>As the Perseids continued late into Thursday evening, the crowd at Mleiha remained attentive to the sky. The occasional appearance of bright meteors kept spectators engaged, while the most colourful fireballs prompted particularly enthusiastic reactions.<\/p><p>For those fortunate enough to see them, the blue, red and white streaks were the highlights of the night.<\/p><p>The event was a reminder that some of nature&#8217;s most impressive spectacles can last only a few seconds. A meteor may appear briefly, travel across a portion of the sky and disappear before most people have time to react.<\/p><p>Yet those few seconds can be enough to create lasting memories.<\/p><p>At Mleiha National Park, the Perseid meteor shower provided exactly that kind of experience. More than 300 people gathered despite the summer heat, waited patiently beneath the open sky and were rewarded with several exceptionally bright fireballs.<\/p><p>The four meteors observed during the evening may have been brief, but their colourful trails generated plenty of excitement. Some people gasped, while others cheered and applauded as the celestial display unfolded overhead.<\/p><p>The different colours offered another layer of fascination, with magnesium and nickel contributing to blue tones and elements such as sodium and iron associated with warmer orange, yellow and red shades.<\/p><p>Most of the trails disappeared within seconds, making every successful sighting feel especially rewarding.<\/p><p>By the end of the evening, the gathering had witnessed more than simply flashes of light. It had experienced a rare opportunity to watch a natural astronomical spectacle together, surrounded by the quiet landscape of Sharjah&#8217;s desert.<\/p><p>The Perseids may have appeared only briefly at a time, but for those gathered at Mleiha, each colourful fireball was enough to make the long wait and summer heat worthwhile.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7de923b e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7de923b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5d0c19 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b5d0c19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Lessons in Astronomy<\/h3><div class=\"add-wrap\"><div class=\"slotad_container\"><div id=\"__336x280 __336x280-0\" class=\"slotad\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><p>The evening at Mleiha began with an informative astronomy session, where attendees were introduced to the Perseid meteor shower and learned about the science behind the spectacular display they were about to observe.<\/p><p>Prabhu, education coordinator at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, explained that the annual Perseids are produced as Earth travels through the stream of dust and debris released by Comet 109P\/Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny particles enter the atmosphere at speeds of roughly 59 kilometres per second, they heat up and burn, producing the bright flashes commonly known as shooting stars.<\/p><p>The comet itself has an interesting history. It was independently identified in 1862 by astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle. Swift-Tuttle takes approximately 133 years to complete one orbit around the Sun, with its most recent passage through the inner solar system occurring in 1992.<\/p><p>Prabhu also pointed out that although the Perseid meteor shower returns every year, weather and sky conditions can significantly affect how easily it can be seen. A bright Moon, for example, can wash out fainter meteors and make observations more difficult.<\/p><p>He recalled that viewing conditions during last year&#8217;s Perseid season were less favourable because strong moonlight reduced visibility.<\/p><p>This year, as the meteor shower reached its peak in recent days, astronomy enthusiasts across the UAE took advantage of darker locations to watch the phenomenon. Residents travelled to popular stargazing destinations, including Al Quaa and Al Qudra, hoping to catch the brightest meteors streaking across the night sky.<\/p><p>The event offered both a chance to enjoy the celestial spectacle and an opportunity to better understand the astronomical process behind the colourful trails visible from Earth.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7868576 e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7868576\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c07ea7 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c07ea7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Meteorite hunt in the desert<\/h3><h3>A Night of Stargazing, Science and Discovery in the Sharjah Desert<\/h3><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The evening at Mleiha National Park offered much more than an opportunity to watch the Perseid meteor shower. Organisers had prepared a range of activities designed to give visitors a broader introduction to astronomy and space science.<\/p><p>Several telescopes were positioned around the viewing area, allowing guests to look beyond the occasional meteors and explore other objects scattered across the night sky. Visitors could take turns at the telescopes and observe planets, stars and other celestial bodies that are difficult to appreciate with the naked eye.<\/p><p>The event also included hands-on activities for visitors of different ages. One of the attractions was a rocket launch area where participants could experiment with water-powered rockets. The activity provided an entertaining way for children and adults to learn about basic principles associated with launching objects into the air.<\/p><p>Another popular activity was a meteorite hunt. Participants were given metal detectors and directed towards a designated search area where they could try to locate meteorite fragments. The activity added an element of adventure to the evening, allowing visitors to take part in a simulated search for material originating from space.<\/p><p>As the event got underway, the desert remained warm, with visitors sitting on mats and preparing themselves for several hours beneath the open sky. Despite the summer temperatures, the atmosphere remained comfortable enough for people to settle down and wait patiently for the meteor shower.<\/p><p>As the night advanced, however, conditions became noticeably cooler. The drop in temperature made the experience increasingly pleasant, and what had initially seemed like a challenging summer evening in the desert became surprisingly comfortable.<\/p><p>Spending several hours outdoors during the height of summer may not sound particularly appealing at first. Yet the changing weather, quiet surroundings and anticipation of seeing meteors created an atmosphere that made the experience enjoyable.<\/p><h3>Preparing for a darker sky<\/h3><p>One of the first things visitors noticed upon arriving was the effort made to reduce unnecessary light during the astronomical observation.<\/p><p>At the entrance, attendees were provided with pieces of transparent red material to place over their mobile phone screens. The red covering helped reduce the amount of bright white light produced by the devices.<\/p><p>Controlling artificial light is particularly important during stargazing events. Even relatively small sources of bright light can make it harder for the eyes to detect faint objects in the sky.<\/p><p>Reducing exposure to white light allows the eyes to gradually become more sensitive to the darkness. This is especially useful when observers are trying to spot faint stars and meteors.<\/p><p>As the evening progressed, the organisers took the darkness even further. At one point, the lights around the event area were switched off and visitors were asked to put their phones away.<\/p><p>The change was immediate.<\/p><p>The illuminated event area disappeared, leaving the group surrounded by almost complete darkness. For a short while, it was difficult to make out much of anything around us.<\/p><p>Our eyes needed time to adapt to the dramatically darker surroundings. It took roughly half an hour before the difference became obvious.<\/p><p>Gradually, more stars began to emerge.<\/p><p>What had initially appeared to be a relatively ordinary night sky transformed into a much richer view filled with points of light. Without the distraction of artificial illumination, it became easier to appreciate how many objects were actually visible overhead.<\/p><p>The experience demonstrated just how significantly light pollution can affect stargazing. Once the surrounding lights disappeared and our eyes had adapted, the sky appeared considerably clearer.<\/p><h3>Exploring planets and stars<\/h3><p>The telescopes provided another highlight of the evening.<\/p><p>Throughout the event, visitors had opportunities to observe several well-known celestial objects. Among them were Venus, Vega, the Albireo double star and Saturn.<\/p><p>Venus was particularly interesting because of its brightness. The planet is one of the most easily recognisable objects in the night sky and can often be spotted without specialised equipment when conditions are suitable.<\/p><p>Vega was another fascinating sight. It is one of the brightest stars visible from Earth and is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra.<\/p><p>The telescopes also revealed Albireo, a double-star system that provided a very different viewing experience from the planets.<\/p><p>But for many visitors, Saturn was undoubtedly the highlight.<\/p><p>Through the telescope, Saturn appeared remarkably distinctive. Its famous ring system was clearly visible, giving observers the opportunity to see a feature that is difficult to forget once viewed through a telescope.<\/p><p>The planet&#8217;s moon Titan was also visible, adding another layer to the observation.<\/p><p>For people accustomed to seeing planets only as bright points in the sky, viewing Saturn through a telescope can be an entirely different experience. Instead of a small dot, the planet becomes a recognisable world with its characteristic rings.<\/p><p>Visitors waited patiently for their opportunity to look through the telescope, often stepping away with expressions of surprise after seeing the objects for themselves.<\/p><p>The experience also showed why public astronomy events can be so engaging. Rather than simply reading about planets and stars, participants could observe them directly.<\/p><h3>A first experience for young visitors<\/h3><p>Among those attending were 10-year-old Sohan and his seven-year-old younger brother, Suvan.<\/p><p>For both children, the evening marked their first experience of attending an event dedicated to observing a major celestial phenomenon.<\/p><p>Their excitement was particularly noticeable whenever a meteor appeared.<\/p><p>Each time a bright streak crossed the sky, the brothers reacted with enthusiasm, making the experience feel even more lively.<\/p><p>Sohan described the evening as exciting and said that he and his younger brother enjoyed the experience from beginning to end.<\/p><p>He was also fortunate enough to spot two of the particularly bright fireballs that appeared during the evening.<\/p><p>For children experiencing a meteor shower for the first time, the sudden appearance of a bright streak can be especially memorable. Unlike objects that remain visible for several minutes, meteors can flash across the sky and disappear almost instantly.<\/p><p>That unpredictability makes every sighting feel like a small discovery.<\/p><p>The brothers&#8217; reactions reflected the excitement shared by many people in the crowd. Whenever someone spotted a particularly bright meteor, attention quickly shifted toward the sky as others tried to catch the fleeting display.<\/p><h3>An unexpected astronomy experience<\/h3><p>The event also attracted visitors who had not originally planned to attend an astronomy gathering.<\/p><p>Indian visitor Irfan was in the UAE for work and had been preparing to return home on Saturday. A friend invited him to join the event, giving him an unexpected opportunity to experience the Perseid meteor shower from the Sharjah desert.<\/p><p>For Irfan, the evening offered something completely different from a typical trip or work-related visit.<\/p><p>He described the experience as new and enjoyable, particularly because he had never before seen such a large gathering of astronomy enthusiasts coming together for a celestial event.<\/p><p>The size of the crowd was itself part of the experience.<\/p><p>More than 300 people had made their way to Mleiha National Park despite the summer heat. They came from different backgrounds and age groups, but shared the same interest in seeing what was happening in the sky above them.<\/p><p>Families, tourists, astronomy enthusiasts and curious visitors all gathered in the same location, waiting for the next meteor to appear.<\/p><h3>Waiting for the next meteor<\/h3><p>Meteor watching requires patience.<\/p><p>Unlike a scheduled performance where the audience knows exactly when the next act will begin, a meteor shower offers no guarantee about when an individual meteor will appear.<\/p><p>Visitors could spend several minutes looking at an apparently empty section of sky before suddenly seeing a bright streak.<\/p><p>That uncertainty became part of the evening.<\/p><p>People talked quietly, looked through telescopes and participated in activities while continuing to keep an eye on the sky. Whenever somebody spotted a meteor, the news quickly travelled through the crowd.<\/p><p>A shout or excited reaction would cause others to look upward, hoping to catch the next one.<\/p><p>The brightest meteors generated the biggest responses.<\/p><p>Some spectators gasped when they saw a fireball, while others applauded or cheered. The reactions created a sense of shared excitement, even among people who had arrived as strangers.<\/p><h3>The importance of darkness<\/h3><p>One of the most memorable aspects of the event was not simply the meteors but the experience of being in a genuinely dark environment.<\/p><p>In cities, artificial lights are almost impossible to escape. Street lamps, buildings, vehicles, advertisements and electronic devices all contribute to the glow that surrounds urban areas.<\/p><p>At Mleiha, switching off the lights provided a clear contrast.<\/p><p>Once the event area became dark and visitors stopped using their phones, the night sky gradually became more visible.<\/p><p>The process also made it clear how long human eyes need to adapt to darkness.<\/p><p>At first, the sudden loss of artificial light was almost disorienting. After around 30 minutes, however, the eyes had adjusted sufficiently to reveal far more stars.<\/p><p>The difference was remarkable.<\/p><p>The experience made it easier to understand why remote desert locations are often attractive destinations for astronomy enthusiasts.<\/p><h3>The journey back to the city<\/h3><p>Eventually, the event came to an end and it was time to leave the desert.<\/p><p>The journey back towards the city provided an unexpected final reminder of the experience.<\/p><p>After spending hours in near-total darkness, the familiar glow of civilisation seemed dramatically different.<\/p><p>Streetlights appeared much brighter than usual. Illuminated signs and other sources of artificial light seemed almost dazzling.<\/p><p>The change was not necessarily because the lights themselves had become brighter. Rather, the eyes had adapted to the darkness of the desert, making the return to an illuminated environment feel much more intense.<\/p><p>The contrast offered a final lesson from the evening.<\/p><p>In the city, artificial light is so common that it is easy to forget how much it affects our view of the night sky.<\/p><p>After several hours beneath a dark desert sky, returning to brightly lit roads made the difference impossible to ignore.<\/p><h3>More than just a meteor shower<\/h3><p>The evening at Mleiha was ultimately about more than counting meteors.<\/p><p>The event combined astronomy, education, science and entertainment, giving visitors several ways to engage with the night sky.<\/p><p>The telescopes allowed people to observe planets and stars. The water-rocket activity introduced visitors to practical science. The meteorite hunt added an element of exploration, while the main event offered the opportunity to witness the Perseid meteor shower.<\/p><p>For children, it was an opportunity to discover astronomy in an interactive setting.<\/p><p>For adults, it provided a chance to step away from the busy city environment and spend several hours looking upward.<\/p><p>For visitors such as Irfan, it was an unexpected experience that offered a different perspective on the UAE.<\/p><p>And for astronomy enthusiasts, the gathering provided an opportunity to share their interest with hundreds of others.<\/p><p>The most memorable moments came when bright fireballs suddenly appeared.<\/p><p>Their colourful trails lasted only a few seconds, but those brief flashes were enough to generate cheers and applause across the gathering.<\/p><h3>A memorable desert evening<\/h3><p>The combination of the desert setting, the gradual cooling of the night air, the darkness and the celestial display made the evening feel remarkably different from an ordinary summer night.<\/p><p>At the beginning, the heat was noticeable as visitors settled onto their mats. But as the hours passed, the temperature became more comfortable.<\/p><p>The darkness then transformed the experience.<\/p><p>With artificial lights removed and phones put away, the sky became the main focus. Stars that might otherwise have been difficult to see emerged more clearly, while the telescopes provided detailed views of planets and other celestial objects.<\/p><p>The appearance of each meteor added another moment of excitement.<\/p><p>For Sohan and Suvan, the event was a first introduction to this kind of astronomical experience. For Irfan, it was an unexpected opportunity discovered through a friend&#8217;s invitation. For the hundreds of other attendees, it was a chance to share a night under the stars.<\/p><p>By the time the event ended, the memories of the fireballs, planets, stars and dark desert sky had become the lasting highlights.<\/p><p>The drive back to the city only reinforced the contrast. After becoming accustomed to the darkness, the bright streetlights and illuminated signs seemed unusually intense.<\/p><p>It was a fitting ending to an evening spent appreciating the value of darkness.<\/p><p>The Perseid meteor shower may have been the main attraction, but the experience offered something broader: a reminder to slow down, look upward and appreciate the extraordinary sights that can appear above us when the lights are turned off.<\/p><p>For a few hours in the Sharjah desert, more than 300 people did exactly that\u2014and were rewarded with a spectacular view of the night sky.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Perseid meteor shower created a spectacular celestial display over Sharjah, as bright, colourful fireballs streaked across the night sky, captivating stargazers across the UAE.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-47187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uae","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47187"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47192,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47187\/revisions\/47192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47187"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_template?post=47187"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/top_category?post=47187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}