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 2024.

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 majesty of the Perseids shower in August was spoiled by cloud cover, there are hopes that the two major meteor showers of the autumn will 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 7 and 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 7.

2024 promises to be a great year to see the Draconids as natural light pollution will be kept to a minimum, with a dim moon only set to arrive later in the night. Be sure to look in the direction of Eltanin and Rastaban in the Draco constellation to see the most shooting stars! 

Orionids to twinkle over Swiss cantons on October 20

Then, the Orionids are expected to arrive in Switzerland in late October, peaking on the night of October 20 to 21. Though the shower occurs from September to November each year, they are at their most vibrant at the end of the 10th month, with up to 20 meteors crossing each hour.

The Orionids originate from Halley’s comet, radiating from the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Unlike the previous meteor shower, the Orionids are very fast - travelling at 60 kilometres a second - so they may be trickier to see.

The best chance to see them will be in the early hours of the morning on October 20 and 21. They will radiate from the Ori star at the hilt of Orion’s club. Sadly, with the peak of the Orionids coming just after a full moon, they may be trickier to spot than the Draconids.

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 things that produce artificial 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!