As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, one of the ways you can take advantage of the longer periods of darkness is to go out stargazing. For those wanting to make a wish on a shooting star, the peak of the Draconids meteor shower can be seen above Swiss cities and towns on October 8. Here’s what you need to know about the annual event and how you can see the meteor shower in Switzerland.
Update: For a more up-to-date guide on the Draconids, check out our guide to meteor showers in Switzerland in October 2023.
Draconids meteor shower to peak in Switzerland on October 8
The Draconids meteor shower - sometimes also known as the Giacobinids - is a meteor shower that visits Switzerland and the rest of Europe in October every year. This astronomical event is fairly unique, as it is one of the few meteor showers where you are more likely to see the shooting stars in the evening as opposed to the early hours of the morning.
If you want to catch a glimpse of the Draconids this autumn, your best chance will probably be at nightfall and in the early evening of October 8 - although you might see a couple of meteors in the nights leading up to and following the peak. If you’re lucky, you could see between 10 and 15 meteors an hour. At 9pm on October 8, the peak of the shower can be seen in Zurich between the constellations of Lyra and Ursa Minor.
Best view of the meteors seen outside Swiss cities
Alas, much like the Perseid meteor shower in August, the peak of the Draconids meteor shower in Switzerland may be harder to see because of the moon. The moon is expected to be bright on October 8 and reach a full moon on October 9, so it may be tricky to see all the meteors. However, if you want to boost your chances of seeing a shooting star, be sure to head out of the city to a place with less light pollution like fields, hills and mountains.
The month may have only just begun, but October 2022 is set to be a big one when it comes to meteor showers. On October 21 you’ll be able to enjoy the peak of the Orionids meteor shower, and, just a few days later, October 25 will treat us all to a Partial Solar Eclipse.