The Ursids are minor meteor showers that occur every year around the winter solstice, when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by comet 8P/Tuttle.
The Ursids are not as spectacular as the Geminids, which dazzled the sky earlier December; but they still offer us a chance to see some shooting stars in the cold night.
The Ursids produce about five to 10 meteors per hour at their peak, under ideal conditions.
When does the Ursid meteor shower peak?
The annual Ursids are predicted to peak between Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, taking place just after the clock strikes midnight this year.
Fortunately, this meteor shower is expected to remain active through Dec. 24, giving stargazers an extra chance to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sight.
How to spot the Ursids
To watch the Ursids, you need to find a dark and clear spot away from the city lights.
Meteors are the product of leftover comet particles and bits from asteroids. When these objects come close to the sun, they leave a dusty trail in their wake.
Every year, these particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere as they pass through, then disintegrate to form colorful streaks in the sky.
While comets are the true point of origin for meteor showers, for the casual viewer the meteor appears to originate from the ‘radiant,’ or the point in the sky from which the stars appear to shoot.
For the Ursids, its radiant appears to derive from the Big and Little Dipper in the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (how this shower got its name).
If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, you’re going to want to point your eyes in that direction — but don’t only focus there.
According to NASA’s Bill Cooke, ‘meteors close to the radiant have very short trails and are easily missed, so observers should avoid looking at that constellation.’
How to locate the constellation?
You can use a sky map app on your phone to locate the constellation, or just look for the bright star Polaris, which marks the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.
You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy the Ursids; just your eyes and some patience.
Dress warmly and bring a blanket or a chair to make yourself comfortable. Give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness, and then scan the sky for any streaks of light.
What are the Ursids?
The Ursids are a low-key, but reliable meteor shower that can add some sparkle to your winter nights. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness some cosmic fireworks before the year ends.
What meteor shower comes after the Ursids?
After the Ursids, the Quadrantids becomes active on Dec. 28 and lasts through Jan. 12, 2024. Its predicted peak is between Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, 2024.
