The Ursid (URS) meteor shower is all set to light up the sky from December 17 to December 24. This year, the Ursids will also be the last major meteor shower, likely peaking around December 23. This makes it the best day to witness this natural spectacle, which occurs once a year and was first observed in the early 20th century by William F Denning, a British astronomer.
Although winter’s dense air and a moon that is 54 per cent full can limit the visibility of the Ursids, simple tricks can help you watch the last major meteor shower of 2024 in its full glory. According to a report by CNN, the Ursids shower will peak around 4 to 5 AM ET Sunday (2 to 3 PM IST), suggests Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society.
Wow. This was real. Just happened at 22:08 CST Louisiana. Meteor shower. pic.twitter.com/pKZi0ZuzgF
— I love Tesla 🔋🚀 (@JC70769) December 22, 2024
For those in North America, midnight and early morning are possibly the best times to watch the Ursid shower. During this time, with careful observation, you can spot up to 10 meteors per hour. The best part? You don’t need any additional equipment, as the burning meteors will be visible to the naked eye.
However, there’s a bit of science you need to follow to glimpse these fast-moving celestial objects. According to Lunsford’s email to CNN, “To best see these meteors, face toward the north with the moon behind you. Lie in a comfortable lounge chair and center your sight halfway up in the sky so that the horizon lies at the bottom of your field of view. If trees or other obstacles block your view, then look a little higher in the sky. The atmosphere is thickest in the lower portions of the sky, and this is where you will see the most activity.”
Don’t rush the experience. Allow your pupils to adjust to the darkness by staying outside for at least an hour for the optimal meteor shower viewing experience.
If you happen to miss the Ursids due to sleepiness or cloudy weather, the Quadrantids are right around the corner. They start on December 26 and will peak on January 3. With a full moon at just 11 per cent, these showers will be much easier to spot compared to the Ursids.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
