As the year draws to a close, skywatchers have an opportunity to witness the annual Ursid meteor shower, an event that promises dazzling streaks lighting up the night sky.
The Ursids mark the second week of back-to-back displays, following on from the Geminids last week.
So, if you missed the Geminids, don’t worry. Here’s everything you need to catch a glimpse of the Ursids in 2024.
What Is the Ursid Meteor Shower?
The Ursid meteor shower is an annual celestial event caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet 8P/Tuttle.
This periodic comet, discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1790 and later linked to Horace Tuttle’s 1858 observations, sheds particles that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating meteors.
The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper, hence the name “Ursids.”
Though it is less prolific than other meteor showers, such as December’s Geminids, the Ursids are known for producing bright fireballs, adding an extra touch of wonder for those watching the skies.
When Is the Ursid Meteor Shower?
The Ursids meteor shower occurs annually from December 17 to 26, with the peak activity predicted this year for the night of December 21–22.
During this peak, observers can expect around 5 to 10 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.
This year, the shower coincides with a waning gibbous moon, which will rise around 11:15 p.m. (ET and PT), according to Time and Date.
As we’re just coming off the back of a full moon on December 15, the moon will still be fairly illuminated—around 60 percent. This means the moon may obscure some of the fainter meteors when it comes up on Saturday night.
However, brighter meteors should still be visible, especially if you’re watching from a dark location.
How to See the Ursid Meteor Shower?
The best time to see the Ursid meteor shower will be in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, December 22. This is when the radiant point—the location in the sky from which meteors in a shower appear to originate—reaches its highest point.
Seek out a dark, rural location away from city lights. Light pollution significantly reduces visibility of meteors.
It’s going to be cold out there, so dress warmly and bring a reclining chair or sleeping bag for comfort. Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
Avoid staring directly at the radiant (Ursa Minor). Meteors appear all over the sky, so a wide field of view increases your chances of spotting them.
No specialized equipment is needed to view meteor showers. A pair of binoculars or a telescope, while great for other stargazing activities, limits your field of vision and may not enhance the meteor-watching experience.
Where To Look in the Sky To See the Ursids?
The radiant point of the Ursids lies near Kochab, a star in the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper’s proximity to Polaris, the North Star, makes it a visible throughout the night in the Northern Hemisphere.
Kochab’s position relative to Polaris can help you locate the radiant, but remember, meteors will streak across the sky far from this point.
What Causes the Ursids?
Comet 8P/Tuttle, the source of the Ursid meteor shower, has an orbit that brings it close to the sun approximately every 13.6 years.
However, meteor activity from the Ursids isn’t directly tied to the comet’s proximity to Earth. Instead, it is caused by Earth’s passage through the comet’s debris trail.
The comet’s particles are remnants from its periodic visits to the inner solar system, with some dating back centuries. As these tiny particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of tens of miles per second, they burn up, creating the bright streaks of light we see as meteors.
When Is the Next Meteor Shower?
In case you miss the Ursids, the Quadrantids meteor shower kicks off the celestial calendar in early 2025, peaking on the night of January 2–3.
According to NASA, the Quadrantids “are considered to be one of the best annual meteor showers,” with as many as 120 meteors per hour at the peak.
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