Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    October astronomy outlook: Two eclipses and two meteor showers!

15:00
1 October 2023

October astronomy outlook
Two eclipses and two meteor showers!

star-gazing

October brings a feast of astronomical events for stargazers, including two meteor showers and two eclipses... although these won't be too visible for those in the UK and Ireland.

The month is kicked off with the arrival of the Draconids meteor shower. Active from around October 6, and peaking the night of October 8. This is one of the slower showers of the year but is best seen in the early evening looking towards the Draco constellation.

On October 14 a new moon brings us an annular solar eclipse. This sees the moon entering the sun's path, but being too far away from Earth to completely block the light. Resulting in a halo appearing around the sun.

Sadly this will not be visible in the UK, Ireland, or Europe, but a new moon always brings darker skies ideal for spotting constellations, and possibly a few early Orionids.

Travelling during the eclipse?

The annular solar eclipse will be visible firstly off the coast of southern Canada before moving over southwestern America into Central America, reaching Columbia and Brazil before ending.

The second meteor shower of the month is also technically the first. Active from October 2, the Orionids reach their peak on the night of October 21, best seen between midnight and dawn. These meteors are parts of Halley's Comet, the comet itself will not return until 2061.

This shower originates from the Orion the Hunter constellation and runs until November 7.

October ends with the arrival of the Hunter's Moon on the 28th. Like all full moons, its name originates from Native American tribes. This year, the full moon also brings us a partial lunar eclipse.

The eclipse will be visible across Europe. Much of Asia and Africa will also see the event, while western regions of Australia and eastern parts of the US and southern America will see the eclipse as the moon rises.

If you're heading out for a night under the stars, don't forget your camera! We want to see your pictures! Use our uploader to submit, you don't need fancy equipment, even a smartphone can capture great shots.

Tips: Astrophotography with your phoneread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 20 September 2026
Split image showing a golden sunset over the sea beneath layered clouds and a pink-purple sunset reflected across calm riverside water.
Sunday 20 September 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover
Equinox marks the start of autumn. Days start to get shorter. . . Wednesday 23 September 2026
Split image showing Stonehenge in warm sunlight beside a tree-lined park glowing with vivid orange, red, and golden autumn leaves.
Wednesday 23 September 2026

Days start to get shorter

Equinox marks the start of autumn
Europe split in two distinct patterns. Autumn meets summer. . . Tuesday 22 September 2026
Weather maps show a storm over the North Atlantic and temperatures of up to 37 degrees in Spain and Portugal.
Tuesday 22 September 2026

Autumn meets summer

Europe split in two distinct patterns
All weather news
This might also interest you
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
A stormy week in the skies above. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 30 August 2026
Split image showing lightning branching beneath dark storm clouds above rooftops on the left and an orange-pink sunset over a calm sea on the right.
Sunday 30 August 2026

Your weather - Your shots

A stormy week in the skies above
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList