SAASST News

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 13:29

Perseids Meteor Shower - TV Interview on Sharqiya Channel with Mrs. Maryam Essa Sharif

On September 9, 2023, Mrs. Maryam Essa Sharif, a Space Technology Engineer at the Space Sciences Department at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), appeared on Sharqiya Channel's "Hadeeth Al Masaa" at 9:00 p.m.

She shared insights on SAASST's role in observing astronomical phenomena, particularly focusing on the Perseids meteor shower. Highlighting its activity from July 14 to September 1, with a peak in mid-August, she emphasized its uniqueness and the importance of raising public awareness about such events.

 

Maryam discussed the meteor observations and how they can be affected by geographical location and atmospheric conditions. She also mentioned that SAASST recorded 700 meteors during the shower's activity this year and 300 meteors at its peak through the United Arab Emirates Meteor Monitoring Network (UAEMMN) observing stations. She also guided viewers on when and how to watch these showers in the sky. She outlined some of the possible challenges that can be faced during meteor observations, such as weather conditions and finding spots with minimal light pollution. She also shared that some of the most crucial aspects of successful meteor observation at the academy involve adjusting the cameras to the proper settings and fine-tuning the software. Her talk inspired an interest in knowledge and exploration, making the audience more open to the experience of wonder at astronomical events.