Stargazers in the Netherlands will be pleased to know that there are some more fantastic meteor showers coming our way in the coming days, with the Orionids set to peak around October 21. Though we’re not sure if the Dutch weather will play ball, people who do have dark, clear skies overhead could be in for a treat!

Orionid meteor shower to peak on October 21

The Orionids are normally seen around October each year. They are created by Halley's Comet, specifically from the debris left behind by the travelling comet. Halley takes roughly 76 years to orbit the sun, and was last seen from Earth in 1986. It will be visible again in 2061.

The Orionids follow the Draconids meteor shower, which takes place earlier each October. The shower is named after Orion, as the meteors appear to emerge from the same section of the sky as the Orion’s Belt constellation. The Orionids meteor shower is set to peak on the night of October 21 to 22.

How to see the Orionids meteor shower from the Netherlands

The Orionids are visible without a telescope, but you need to make sure you’re in a dark area, with low levels of light pollution. In the Netherlands, this usually means getting out of the city and heading somewhere more rural, or maybe even a Dutch national park for the best stargazing experience. 

The weather forecast for this weekend is looking grey, so there is a chance that the show could be blocked by the cloud. However, don’t despair! There are some more meteor showers heading our way in November!