Upcoming Meteor Showers in Europe: When and Where to Watch

If you missed this year's spectacular Perseids meteor shower, we have good news for you: there are still plenty of dazzling astronomical events to look forward to in Europe until the end of 2023. From meteor showers to solar and lunar eclipses, northern lights, and upcoming comet flybys, our astronomical guide covers it all.

Observing astronomical phenomena provides a fantastic reason for a weekend getaway. Unfortunately, trying to spot meteors while within city limits is a futile endeavor due to light pollution. To truly enjoy stargazing, it's best to venture to remote forested or mountainous areas. To find an ideal stargazing location, you can refer to this light pollution map: www.lightpollutionmap.info.

Moreover, Europe boasts several "dark sky parks," specially designated areas where efforts are made to preserve natural nocturnal darkness and reduce the impact of artificial lighting. Here are the top 10 "dark sky reserves":

Bieszczady Dark Sky Park, Poland

Izera Dark Sky Park, Czech Republic

Poloniny National Park, Slovakia

Galloway Forest Park, Scotland

Exmoor National Park, United Kingdom

Northumberland Park, United Kingdom

De Boschplaat Dark Sky Reserve, Netherlands

Eifel National Park, Germany

Pic du Midi Dark Sky Reserve, France

Zselic Starry Sky Park, Hungary

Meteor Showers 

Photo: Falling Stars, Source: Collage by Leonid Lukashenko

A meteor shower is a celestial event when a swarm of meteoroids enters Earth's atmosphere, becoming visible in the night sky. Some of these meteor showers have orbits closely related to those of existing or past comets. Here are five meteor showers visible in the Northern Hemisphere until the end of 2023:

Draconids

Peak: October 9th

Parent Body: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

Radiant Location: Draco Constellation 

The Draconids may not be the most spectacular meteor shower, but they have a unique advantage: they peak in the early evening, making them perfect for families with children who don't want to stay up too late. From October 6th to 10th, you can expect to see around 10 meteors per hour. The moon's 25% illumination won't significantly hinder observations.

Orionids

Peak: October 22nd

Parent Body: Comet 1P/Halley

Radiant Location: Orion Constellation 

The Orionids are a moderate meteor shower known for occasional outbursts of activity. This year, from October 2nd to November 7th, you can expect around 20 meteors per hour. Despite the moon's 49% illumination, it won't interfere with observations once it sets after midnight.

Leonids

Peak: November 18th

Parent Body: Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle

Radiant Location: Leo Constellation 

The Leonids are famous for their meteor storms, such as the one in 1966 that reached rates of up to 50 meteors per second for observers in the United States. However, in 2023, from November 6th to 30th, you can expect only around 10 meteors per hour at best. The moon's 25% illumination won't be a significant obstacle. The best time to see the Leonids is during the last hour before dawn.

Geminids

Peak: December 14th

Parent Body: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon

Radiant Location: Gemini Constellation 

The Geminids, visible from December 4th to 20th, are one of the most impressive meteor showers, with an intensity of up to 150 meteors per hour. Conditions for observing the Geminids in 2023 are nearly ideal, as the new moon will illuminate only 2% of the sky. You can start your meteor hunting as early as 10 p.m.

Ursids

Peak: December 23rd

Parent Body: Comet 8P/Tuttle

Radiant Location: Ursa Minor Constellation 

The Ursids are for those who enjoy a challenge. This minor meteor shower occurs from December 17th to 26th, and you can expect just 5-10 meteors per hour at its peak. In 2023, the moon's illumination will be a substantial 84%.

Prepare your stargazing equipment and head to a dark, remote location to witness these mesmerizing celestial displays. Don't forget to mark your calendars for these upcoming meteor showers – they promise a night of awe-inspiring natural beauty in the skies above Europe.

Eclipses

Photo: Solar Eclipse, Source: NASA

Annular Solar Eclipse 

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, with its visible diameter (smaller than the Sun's diameter) blocking out a significant portion of sunlight, creating a "ring of fire" effect. This year, such an eclipse will take place on October 14th. Unfortunately, the maximum eclipse phase will be visible only in the United States, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil. For those who prefer not to travel far to witness astronomical events, consider:

Partial Lunar Eclipse 

During a partial lunar eclipse, Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a partial shadow over the Moon's surface. On October 28th, this astronomical phenomenon will be fully visible across Europe.

Comets

Photo: Comet in the Night Sky, Source: Pxhere, Richard Bartz

C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) 

This is a new long-period comet discovered on August 11, 2023, by Japanese amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura. You can already observe it with binoculars, and by September 10th, it will become visible to the naked eye. The comet will reach its peak brightness on September 17th, but at that time, it will be positioned too close to the Sun, making observations challenging.

C/2020 V2 (ZTF) 

Another relatively new long-period comet, discovered on November 2, 2020, by researchers from the "Zwicky Transient Facility" project. While it came very close to the Sun on May 8th, you can easily spot it with a small telescope on September 17th, during its closest approach to Earth.

103P/Hartley 

This short-period comet was discovered in 1986 by astronomer Malcolm Hartley while working at the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. Interestingly, in 2010, NASA's spacecraft, "Deep Impact," flew within 700 km of Comet Hartley and managed to photograph its peanut-shaped nucleus. You can see this comet with a small telescope or powerful binoculars on September 26th.

2P/Encke 

Discovered in 1786 by French astronomer Pierre Méchain, it was later named after the German astronomer Johann Encke, who calculated its orbit in 1819. Comet Encke has the shortest orbital period of all known comets, at only 3.3 years. Look for it in the pre-dawn hours at the end of October using binoculars or a telescope.

62P/ Zijinshan 

This short-period comet was discovered on January 1, 1965, by astronomers at the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory in Nanjing, China. On December 25th of this year, it will be bright enough and conveniently positioned in the sky for observation with binoculars.

Prepare your telescopes and binoculars to catch a glimpse of these captivating celestial wanderers as they grace the night sky. Keep an eye on the dates and locations to make the most of these astronomical events.

Northern Lights

Photo: Polar Lights, Source: Freepik

The Northern Lights season begins in late October and continues until the end of March, with the prime time for observations being from November to February. While no one can guarantee specific dates or locations for witnessing the Northern Lights, certain conditions increase your chances. If there has been high solar activity and the night is clear and frosty, your odds improve.

For Europeans seeking to witness the Northern Lights, heading to Scandinavia is your best bet. Here are some top locations:

Tromsø (Norway): Known as the "Gateway to the Arctic" and often referred to as the "Home of the Northern Lights," Tromsø offers excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. You can track aurora activity using the Norway Lights app.

Stokkseyri (Iceland): Located just an hour's drive from Reykjavik, Stokkseyri is another great place to witness the Northern Lights. You can keep an eye on aurora forecasts on the Icelandic Met Office website.

Lapland (Finland): In Lapland, the Northern Lights are whimsically referred to as the "fox's fire." To stay updated on the likelihood of Northern Lights in Lapland, subscribe to the aurora probability notifications from the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their appearance can never be guaranteed. However, by visiting these Northern destinations during the season and monitoring aurora forecasts, you can maximize your chances of experiencing this breathtaking celestial display.