Ursids: How and when to watch the last peak meteor shower of 2024

The Ursid meteor shower will light up the sky from December 17 to December 24, with its peak expected around December 23. As the last major meteor shower of the year, this is your only chance to observe this natural event. has occurred every year since the early 20th century, when British astronomer William F. Denning first recorded it.

Best viewing time for Ursids

Despite the challenges posed by winter’s thick air and the moon being 54% full, you can still enjoy the Ursids with some simple strategies. According to Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society, the peak of the Ursid meteor shower will occur between 4 and 5 a.m. ET on Sunday, the 23rd. December (2 to 3 p.m. IST), as reported by CNN.

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For viewers in North America, the hours between midnight and early morning will offer the best opportunity to see meteors. During this time, you can see up to 10 meteors per hour with the naked eye, which is a great opportunity for skywatchers. No special equipment is needed to witness this spectacle as it will be possible to see the meteors without a telescope or binoculars.

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Tips for watching meteor showers

To improve your chances of spotting these fast-moving meteors, Lunsford recommends facing north with the moon behind you. He recommends lying on a comfortable couch and focusing your vision about halfway up the sky so that the horizon is at the bottom of your vision. If obstacles such as trees obscure your view, adjust your sights to higher points in the sky. Because the atmosphere is thickest near the horizon, you’ll likely see more meteors in that part of the sky.

For the best experience, you should stay outside for at least an hour. This allows your eyes to fully adapt to the darkness, improving your ability to detect meteors.

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Don’t miss the Quadrantids

If you miss the Ursids due to cloud cover or sleepiness, don’t worry – the Quadrantid meteor shower follows closely behind. Starting on December 26 and peaking on January 3, the Quadrantids will offer another chance to see meteors, and with the full moon only 11% visible, viewing conditions will be better than with Ursids.