Quick Guide: The Ursid meteor shower runs Dec. 17–26 and peaks Dec. 21–22, with up to about 10 meteors per hour possible at peak. Best viewing is from the Northern Hemisphere between midnight and 5 a.m. ET; start around 9 p.m. local if you wish. A thin waxing crescent moon (≈3% illuminated) sets before midnight, creating unusually dark skies for this year’s peak. For best results, watch with the naked eye from a dark location and allow 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust.
How to Watch 2025’s Final Meteor Shower: Ursids Peak Dec. 21–22
This holiday season, between late Sunday evening and early Monday morning, look up for a quieter but rewarding celestial show: the Ursid meteor shower. Active Dec. 17–26 and peaking Dec. 21–22, the Ursids offer a chance to see brief, sand‑grain‑sized meteors as Earth crosses debris left by comet 8P/Tuttle.
When to Watch
The shower is active from Dec. 17–26, with the highest activity expected on Dec. 21–22. Most meteors are likely between midnight and 5 a.m. ET on the peak night, though you can begin observing around 9 p.m. local time. For best results, plan to watch during the early pre‑dawn hours when the sky is darkest and Earth’s rotation brings you into the path of incoming particles.
What You'll See
The Ursids are a modest shower—observers in favorable locations may see up to about 10 meteors per hour at peak. The fragments that create meteors are usually no larger than grains of sand and burn up as they hit Earth’s atmosphere, producing short, bright streaks across the sky.
Where to Look
From the ground, Ursid meteors appear to radiate from a point near the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor, close to the star Kochab. Because that radiant stays above the horizon all night only in the Northern Hemisphere, the Ursids are primarily a northern‑sky event. Meteors will appear to streak outward from that area in all directions—so a wide view of the sky is best.
Viewing Tips
To maximize what you see: find a dark site away from city lights, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adapt to the dark, and use the naked eye rather than binoculars or a telescope (these narrow your field of view). Dress warmly, bring a reclining chair or blanket, and avoid using bright screens or lights. Check real‑time reports from the Global Meteor Network or the American Meteor Society for activity updates.
Why This Year Is Favorable
This year’s peak coincides with a thin waxing crescent moon that will be only about 3% illuminated and should set before midnight, leaving darker skies for the late‑night peak. Those darker conditions increase the chance of spotting fainter meteors.
Background
The Ursids originate from debris shed by comet 8P/Tuttle, a short‑period comet. As Earth moves through the comet’s dust trail each December, the particles vaporize in the atmosphere and produce the shower. While not as prolific as the Geminids or Perseids, the Ursids are a reliable annual event for patient sky‑watchers.
Other Sky Notes: Jupiter will be prominent in the eastern sky this month. A waxing crescent moon will be visible after sunset Dec. 22–24, and the first full moon of 2026 (the Wolf Moon) rises on Jan. 3. Jupiter reaches opposition on Jan. 10, 2026.
