No matter where in the Netherlands you are, make sure to look up to the skies this weekend, as the Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of December 13 to December 14!
The Geminids are a highlight of the meteor year, and are always fairly reliable, especially at around 2 o’clock in the morning. While your best chance of spotting the meteor shower is on Sunday night, you may have already been lucky enough to spot a meteor or two this week as the shower builds to its peak this weekend.
Make sure you’re prepared and know what to look out for: the meteors tend to be bold, white, and quick, and will reach their peak on Sunday night / Monday morning, when you might be able to see up to 150 meteors per hour! You won’t need any extra equipment for this shower, but experts advise setting aside at least an hour for stargazing in order to ensure your eyes have time to adapt to the darkness.
Plus, if you manage to stay awake, not only will you be treated with a breathtaking meteor display, but in the early hours of December 11, 12, and 13, after a night of meteor-watching, you might also be lucky enough to spot the planet Venus.
Chances of being able to sit back and enjoy the Geminids meteor shower this year should be pretty good, with a new moon falling on December 14 - this means there shouldn't be too much light obstructing your view. To be in with an even better chance of seeing the shower in all its glory, though, try to head out of the city and find somewhere that doesn’t have too much light pollution.
But, even with moonlight limited, you have to hope that the Dutch weather will play ball. At the moment, the forecast for this weekend isn't looking very promising, predicting heavy clouds with a chance of rain as we head into Monday. On the bright side, though, it shouldn't be too cold, reaching a minimum of "only" 4 degrees during the night on Sunday.