If you missed the Geminid meteor shower, another cosmic event is just around the corner. The Ursid meteor shower will be visible from December 17 to 26 and it will peak on the night of December 21-22. According to Planetary Society, one can spot around 10 meteors per hour but under perfect weather conditions, this number can be 25.
While it is significantly smaller than the Geminids, the Ursid meteor shower offers the perfect chance to spot the final meteor show of the year.
The Ursids can be best spotted just before dawn. Look for the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper as the meteors appear to emerge from this constellation. According to Live Science, Ursa Minor is a circumpolar constellation meaning it will be visible all night in the northern hemisphere.
But the Moon might ruin the moment a little. The meteors’ radiance might get washed out by a waning gibbous Moon which will be about 52 to 62 percent full. Since the Moon will not rise until right before midnight, it is best to look for the meteors around midnight when the Moon is low in the sky.
The Ursid meteors are born out of the Comet 8P/Tuttle when Earth passes through its debris trail while orbiting the Sun. According to NASA, the comet is about 5 kilometres wide and takes about 13.6 years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
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