As the year draws to a close, sky watchers have the 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 last week’s Geminids.

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 the debris left behind by Comet 8P/Tuttle.

Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1790 and later linked to Horace Tuttle’s 1858 observation, this periodic comet releases particles that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere to form meteors.

The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper, hence the name “Ursids”.

Although less profuse than other meteor showers such as December’s Geminids, the Ursids are known for producing bright fireballs that add a special touch of wonder to sky watchers.

When is the Ursid meteor shower?

The Ursid meteor shower occurs annually from December 17 to 26, with peak activity this year predicted for the night of December 21-22.

During this peak, under ideal conditions, observers can expect around 5 to 10 meteors per hour, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.

This year, the shower coincides with the waning waning moon, which will rise around 11:15 PM (ET and PT), according to the time and date.

Since we’re just coming off the back side of the full moon on December 15th, the moon will still be fairly illuminated — about 60 percent. That means the moon may obscure some of the fainter meteors when it rises on Saturday night.

However, the brighter meteors should still be visible, especially if you are watching from a dark place.

How to see the Ursid meteor shower?

The best time to view the Ursid meteor shower will be before dawn on Sunday, December 22. That’s when the radiant point—the spot in the sky where the meteors in the shower appear to originate—reaches its highest point.

Find a dark, rural location away from city lights. Light pollution significantly reduces the visibility of meteors.

It will be cold outside, so dress warmly and bring a recliner or sleeping bag for comfort. Wait 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Avoid staring directly at the bright one (Ursa Minor). Meteors appear all over the sky, so a wide field of view increases the chance of spotting them.

No special equipment is needed to view meteor showers. Binoculars or binoculars, while great for other stargazing activities, limit your field of view and may not improve your meteor viewing experience.

Where to look in the sky to see the Ursids?

The Ursid Radiant Point lies near Kochab, a star in Ursa Minor. The proximity of the Little Dipper to Polaris, Polaris, is visible throughout the night in the Northern Hemisphere.

Kochab’s position relative to Polaris can help you find the radiant, but remember that the meteors will spread across the sky far from this point.

What causes Ursida?

Comet 8P/Tuttle, the source of the Ursid meteor shower, has an orbit that brings it closer to the Sun approximately every 13.6 years.

However, Ursid meteor activity is not directly related to the comet’s proximity to Earth. Instead, it is caused by Earth passing through the comet’s debris trail.

Comet particles are leftovers from its regular visits to the inner solar system, some dating back centuries. As these tiny particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere at tens of miles per second, they burn up and create the bright streaks of light we see as meteors.

When is the next meteor shower coming?

In case you miss the Ursids, the Quadrantid meteor shower will kick off the celestial calendar in early 2025, peaking on the night of January 2-3.

According to NASA, the Quadrantids are “considered one of the best meteor showers of the year,” with up to 120 meteors per hour at their peak.