Catch a glimpse of the Perseids meteor shower from the Netherlands

August is around the corner, and that means great news for any avid (or aspiring) stargazers out there: this month marks a real highlight in the annual astronomical calendar, with the Perseids meteor shower active over the Netherlands between July 17 and August 24, peaking on the night of August 12. 

What is the Perseids meteor shower?

After the Alpha Capricornids and Delta Aquariids peaks at the end of July, August will once again play host to the peak of the Perseids. The meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through the stream of debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle, and is known as the Perseids because the meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus.

With a comet nucelus 26 kilometres in diameter, Swift-Tuttle is the largest object in the solar system that repeatedly passes close to Earth, which it does once every 133 years. The Perseids is one of the year's most popular meteor showers, as it is easily visible across the entire northern hemisphere. 

Spot shooting stars in Dutch skies this month

The Perseids meteor shower is visible from mid-July and will be active right up until August 24, but at its peak on the night of August 12, you could see up to 100 meteors an hour! Your best chances of getting a good glimpse are between 12am and 5.30am on August 13.

As per usual, however, the Dutch weather could wreak havoc on your stargazing plans, so hopefully, there will be clear skies that give you a chance at glimpsing nature's fireworks. To maximise your chances of seeing this meteorological show, be sure to head out of the city to an area with little to no artificial light (such as a national park).