The Ursids meteor shower — the final major celestial show of the year — is set to peak late this weekend, offering dark skies and a quiet but rewarding display for patient observers across the Eastern US.
The best viewing window begins on Sunday night, Dec. 21, and stretches into the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 22, when the shower is expected to be most active. Stargazers can continue spotting meteors through Friday, Dec. 26, though activity will gradually taper off.
The Ursids will remain active through Christmas Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 24. They became active Saturday, Dec. 13, according to the American Meteor Society,
Unlike flashier meteor showers earlier in the year, the Ursids are known for subtlety rather than spectacle. Under ideal conditions, observers may see about five to 10 meteors per hour. On rare occasions, however, the Ursids have produced surprise outbursts of more than 100 meteors per hour, according to EarthSky.
Dark skies will work in viewers’ favor this year. A new moon earlier in the week means moonlight will not interfere, making it easier to spot fainter streaks across the sky. The best time to watch is after midnight and before dawn, when the shower’s radiant point is highest.
The National Weather Service recommends heading away from city lights and allowing eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. No telescopes or binoculars are needed.
To find the Ursids, look north toward the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Because the radiant is positioned far north, the shower is best seen from northern latitudes and is less visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
EarthSky notes the Ursids are often overlooked due to the holiday season and their lower hourly rates compared to the Geminids, which peak earlier in December. Still, the combination of dark skies and a weekend peak makes this year’s shower worth watching.
Bundle up, find a clear view of the northern sky, and keep expectations realistic. The Ursids may be understated, but they offer a fitting, quiet sendoff to the year’s meteor season.
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