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Your last chance to make a wish on a shooting star in 2022 is drawing near!
Heed sky watchers, for the Ursids are upon us, marking not only the last meteor shower of the month, but the last celestial show of the year.
NASA considers the Ursids annual meteor shower “low profile” due to the minimal speed at which the stars shoot compared to the Geminids that preceded them. (The latter is what the space agency deems the “best and most reliable” meteor shower ever.)
But there will still be a lot to see! According to NASA, all meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid, and for Ursids in particular, that would be comet 8P/Tuttle.
RELATED: Everything to know about the Geminids meteor shower, including when it peaks and how to watch it
What you see in the sky is debris that results from an asteroid entering Earth’s atmosphere at extreme speed. Its speed combined with the collision of the air causes it to disintegrate, with some of the larger particles burning into fireballs!
Just when you thought the solar system couldn’t be more active, think again! Galaxy watchers are in for a surprise as the Ursid meteor showers align with the winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
From when they peak to how to observe them, here’s everything to know about the Ursid meteor shower.
When does the Ursid meteor shower peak?
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The Ursid meteor shower peaks during the night of December 22 to the morning of December 23 this year. Luckily, those late night to early morning hours aren’t the only time slots you can try to find them in the sky.
The Ursids began on December 17 and will remain active until December 26, giving stargazers several opportunities to spot a shooting star — and make a wish, of course!
RELATED: Everything to know about December’s cold moon, the last full moon of the year
How to view the Ursid meteor shower?
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Just like all meteor showers, Ursids are best observed in a dark sky and away from any light pollution. Since they align with the winter solstice, you’ll want to pack your bags before sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the star-studded spectacle.
At its peak, the Ursids can produce up to 22 meteors per hour, though on average about 10 can be spotted. Typically, the moon plays a crucial role in astronomers’ ability to see showers. If the moon is near its full phase, it will cause the stars in the night sky to appear dim. Fortunately, the Ursids coincide with a dark new moon on Dec. 23, which allows for optimal viewing conditions for spotting a meteor.
Where in the sky does the Ursid meteor shower appear?
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While comets are the true point of origin of meteor showers, many tend to think they come from their “radiant,” or point in the sky from which stars appear to shoot. For the Ursids, its radiant is the constellation Ursa Minor, better known as “The Little Dipper”.
It’s logical to start by looking towards Ursa Minor, but that’s not the only place you should be looking. Simply lie down on the ground, adjust your eyes to the dark sky and simply take in its vastness to increase your chances of spotting a star.
RELATED: Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann says view of Earth from space station is ‘absolutely overwhelming’
Which meteor shower comes after the Ursids?
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The next meteor shower after the Ursids is the Quadrantid meteor shower, peaking in the late night of January 2 to the early morning of January 3 this year. They can produce up to 80 meteors per hour, according to NASA.
