If you’ve been waiting for the chance to get a glimpse of shooting stars, you’re in for a treat! The Perseid meteor shower, one of the biggest stargazing events of the year, is expected to be visible from the Netherlands between August 9 and 17. 

Perseid meteor shower peaks in August 2024

August will once again play host to the peak of the Perseids in 2024. The meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through the stream of debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle, and is known as the Perseids because the meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus.

The Perseids are one of the year's most popular meteor showers, as they are easily visible across the entire northern hemisphere. This year, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower will be from 11am on Monday, August 12 to the early morning of Tuesday, August 13. 

How to watch the Perseid meteor shower in the Netherlands

According to Weeronline, the best time to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower is when the most shooting stars per hour are passing through. This will be at around 4am on Tuesday, August 13, with up to 100 meteors per hour. 

So far, the weather is predicted to be mostly clear during the peak of the meteor shower, with just a few passing clouds. To get the best chance of viewing the Perseids in the Netherlands, find a dark place away from the artificial lights of the cities, such as a national park, and make sure you have a clear view of the sky in the northeast.