After the Delta Aquariids lit up the skies at the end of July, this week has another special treat in store for all the aspiring stargazers out there: the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 12!
The Perseid meteor shower takes place every August, as the Earth passes through the stream of debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. The shower 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.
This is one of the year's most popular meteor showers, as it is easily visible across the entire northern hemisphere. It'll be active right through to August 24, but you could see up to 69 meteors every hour at its peak at around 3am on August 13.
Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the Perseid Meteor Shower should note that visibility isn't expected to be great this year, regardless of what the Dutch weather decides to do. The Super Full Moon on August 12 means the sky will be pretty bright, making it harder to spot any shooting stars.
It isn't ideal for anyone who has to get up for work, but you'll stand a better chance of seeing this astronomical spectacle at around 3am on August 10. To improve your chances, head out of the city to an area with little to no artificial light - like a national park.