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
A heatwave is on the way in Europe. Is El Niño to blame?. . . Tuesday 16 June 2026
Split image showing a Europe temperature map with widespread red heatwave conditions and temperatures above 30 C on the left, and an El Niño ocean temperature anomaly map of the Pacific Ocean on the right with a broad band of unusually warm water along the equator.
Tuesday 16 June 2026

Is El Niño to blame?

A heatwave is on the way in Europe
Glaciers unprepared for coming heatwave. Little snow protection. . . Wednesday 17 June 2026
On the left is a webcam image of the Aletsch Glacier; on the right is the temperature radar, which shows the heat distribution in the Alps.
Wednesday 17 June 2026

Little snow protection

Glaciers unprepared for coming heatwave
Italy still facing severe weather. Damage in the north. . . Thursday 11 June 2026
Storm damage to buildings and a weather map showing severe thunderstorms near Verona in northern Italy on Wednesday.
Thursday 11 June 2026

Damage in the north

Italy still facing severe weather
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
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