Ursid meteor shower peaks just before Christmas, lighting up winter skies

The Ursid meteor shower, the last major meteor shower of the year, peaks this weekend, delivering fiery streaks to nighttime and early-morning skies. While it is generally more subdued than bigger showers like the Geminids, observers are still advised to look up for a potential display as Earth passes through debris left by a passing comet.

The Ursids peak Sunday night into Monday morning and will be visible through Dec. 26 from the Northern Hemisphere. Night owls and early risers typically see five to 10 meteors per hour at the height, with occasional outbursts of up to 25 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. How active the shower appears depends on the amount of debris and the moon's brightness, which can blot out glowing meteors. The Ursids contain less debris than some showers, but the crescent moon expected this year should not severely hamper the viewing when the peak arrives.

The meteors hail from a comet called 8P/Tuttle, and the streaks seem to radiate from a point near Ursa Minor, the Little Dipper. Viewers have the best chance of catching the show by heading to a dark site away from city lights and letting their eyes adjust to the night sky. No special equipment is needed, and the shower can be observed across the entire sky, though the radiant will appear to emanate from the Little Dipper.

To maximize the experience, observers should bundle up and avoid bright lights from cellphones, which can hinder night vision. The darker the sky, the more meteors will be visible, and while the peak time is cited by meteor societies, activity can vary from hour to hour depending on debris and atmospheric conditions. The Ursids offer a modest but tangible reminder of the ongoing encounters between Earth and the remnants of comets that drift through the solar system each year.

Meteors — or shooting stars — occur when space rocks strike Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and burn up, creating fiery trails. Random meteors can be seen on any clear night, but meteor showers like the Ursids become predictable annual events when Earth traverses debris streams left by comets or asteroids. As with most celestial events, the intensity can be affected by moonlight and local light pollution, making a dark sky an essential factor for a good show. The Ursids are typically quieter than some of the more dramatic showers, but for observers with clear, dark skies, a handful of bright streaks can still make for a memorable early-western winter night.

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