Residents in the Northern Hemisphere have one last chance to observe a meteor shower this year. The Ursid meteor shower lasts from December 17 to 26, peaking on the 21st and 22nd and coinciding with the winter solstice.
According to the American Meteor Society, a meteor shower is “[a]n annual event, when the Earth passes through a region having a great concentration of debris, such as particles left by a comet.” The Ursid meteor shower is caused by the Earth passing through the trail left by the periodic Comet 8P/Tuttle, which was discovered in the late 18th century and has an orbital period of 13.6 years.
Unfortunately, the Ursid meteor shower may be a bit difficult to view this year. According to NASA, the moon will be 54% visible that night. All light sources, even the moon, limit visibility while stargazing because bright lights will make the night sky and other celestial objects seem darker in contrast. However, professionals have some tips on meteor shower viewing. Michelle Nicols, who manages public viewing at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, states that “You just need your eyes, and, ideally, a dark sky”— no equipment is necessary. Also, Robert Lunsford, a fireball report coordinator at the American Meteor Society, recommends looking into the lower parts of the atmosphere because they are typically thicker, allowing meteors to show up better. Finally, remember to stay warm and allow for enough time for the eyes to adjust to the dark.
With holiday busyness and cold weather, the Ursid meteor shower is expected to be given less attention compared to others. However, in an article published by the New York Times, journalist Katrina Miller notes that it’s still possible to enjoy “a holiday light show from the Ursids, the last major meteor shower of the year to peak.” Even so, the Quadrantids, another meteor shower, will peak on January 3rd, so more chances to view the stunning light displays of meteor showers are coming up.
Sources:
“One of 2024’s Last Meteor Showers is about to Reach Its Peak” by Katrina Miller (December 20, 2024) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/science/ursids-meteor-shower-winter-solstice.html?searchResultPosition=3
“Meteor FAQs” by American Meteor Society https://amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-faq/
“How to See the Ursids, the Final Meteor Shower that Peaks in 2024” by Ashley Strickland (December 21, 2024) https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/21/science/ursid-meteor-shower-december-2024/index.html
“HAPPENING NOW Witness the Magic of the Ursid Meteor Shower” by The Mind of Griff https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/happening-now-witness-the-magic-of-the-ursid-meteor-shower/ar-AA1wkx7j#:~:text=The%20Ursid%20Meteor%20Shower%20is%20unique%20because%20it%20originates%20from,Tuttle%2C%20which%20fuels%20the%20Perseids