The final major meteor shower of 2025, the Ursids, will peak on the night of December 21st and into the early hours of December 22nd, coinciding with the winter solstice and a new moon for optimal viewing conditions.
What Are the Ursids?
The Ursid meteor shower is less dramatic than December’s earlier Geminids – typically producing only five to ten meteors per hour at its peak. However, this makes catching the peak activity crucial for observers. The meteors appear to originate from the Ursa Minor constellation, more commonly known as the Little Dipper. Specifically, they radiate from the star Kochab, one of the brightest in the constellation.
The timing is noteworthy: the Ursids appear just after the new moon, meaning minimal moonlight interference. The solstice adds extra significance, marking the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and providing extended viewing opportunities.
How to Watch
To maximize your chances of seeing the Ursids, find a location with dark skies, away from city lights. Allow at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before scanning the sky. While the meteors appear to radiate from Ursa Minor, they will streak across the entire sky.
Kochab’s proximity to the North Pole means the Ursids are visible for much of the night across most of the Northern Hemisphere. This makes it a relatively accessible event for many observers.
The alignment of the Ursid meteor shower with the winter solstice and new moon creates a rare opportunity for clear, dark-sky viewing of a minor but still beautiful celestial event.
While not as spectacular as other showers, the Ursids offer a final chance to enjoy meteor activity before the end of the year, coupled with the symbolic transition into astronomical winter.
