Two major meteor showers to light up Swiss skies this October

October is set to be a bumper month for stargazers in Switzerland, with two major meteor showers set to cross the night sky. Here’s how to watch the Draconids and Orionids meteor shower in Swiss cities and cantons in 2025.

Draconids and Orionids in Switzerland to peak this October

With the nights drawing in ever earlier each day, October is a great time for you to don warm clothing and head out into the night to see some shooting stars. After the treat that was the Perseids shower in August, there are two more major meteor showers this autumn that will hopefully be visible in Switzerland.

How to watch the Draconids meteor shower in Switzerland

First, the Draconids meteor shower will be visible in Switzerland from October 6 to 10, peaking on the night of October 8. Emanating from the Draco constellation from which it gets its name, the meteor shower is known to be unpredictable, having the potential to shoot hundreds of meteors across the night sky in an hour - though the last time a shower of this magnificence was seen was in the 1940s.

Unlike most meteor showers, the best time to see the Draconids is as soon as the sun goes down. This means the best time to see them is actually on the evening of October 8. The Draconids are known for being slightly "slow", meaning they are easier to glimpse with the naked eye!

2025 unfortunately brings less-than perfect viewing conditions, unfortunately, since it occurs around the full Moon on October 7. To give yourself the best chance of seeing something, try to find somewhere with dark skies and little light pollution. Be sure to look in the direction of Eltanin and Rastaban in the Draco constellation to see the most shooting stars! 

Orionids to peak over Switzerland on October 20

The Orionids are a much more drawn-out affair, active from early October to early November each year. However, the peak doesn't come until later this month, on October 21, when you could glimpse up to 20 meteors crossing each hour.

The Orionids originate from Halley’s comet, radiating from the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Unlike the Draconids, the Orionids are very fast - travelling at 60 kilometres a second - so they may be trickier to see. Just a flash and then they're gone!

You'll get your best chance of seeing them in the early hours of the morning on October 21. They will radiate from the Ori star at the hilt of Orion’s club. Luckily, with the full Moon coming much earlier in the month, observing conditions will also be much better. 

How to best see meteor showers in Switzerland

To see both the Draconids and the Orionids, it is best to venture away from cities and other sources of light pollution. Provided the weather in Switzerland is compliant, the tops of hills, forests and mountains are the best places to see these stunning natural phenomena. Be sure to give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the low light.

Smaller meteor showers will also dance across Swiss skies

Alongside the two major showers, several smaller meteor showers will be making their way across the night sky this October. These are the Camelopardalis (October 5 to 6), Delta Aurigids (October 10 to 18) and the Southern Taurids (September 10 to November 20). Happy stargazing!