The Ursids: A Hidden Gem in the Night Sky

The Ursid meteor shower, often overlooked, is set to light up the night sky. It will reach its peak between Sunday night and early Monday morning. Sky-watchers might see five to ten meteors per hour during this time. This event happens around the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The thin crescent moon will make the sky darker, perfect for spotting meteors. The Ursids are visible only in the Northern Hemisphere. They come from the Little Dipper constellation, near a bright star called Kochab. The meteors are bits of dust and debris from a comet called 8P/Tuttle. This comet leaves a trail of particles as it orbits the sun. This year, Earth might pass through a denser part of the debris, making the shower more active.Viewing the Ursids can be tricky. It's not as spectacular as other showers like the Geminids. But it's still worth a try. To see the meteors, find a dark spot away from city lights. Look towards the northern sky, but not straight up. Give it some time, at least an hour, to catch a glimpse of the shooting stars. The new year starts with another celestial event. The first full moon of January, called the wolf moon, will peak on January 3rd. This coincides with the Quadrantids meteor shower. However, the bright full moon might make it hard to see the meteors.