Ursids Meteor Shower: A Spectacular Celestial Show to End the Year

The Ursid meteor shower, the final meteor shower of the year, has begun and will peak overnight on December 21-22. With around 10 shooting stars per hour, the Ursids are not as strong as the recent Geminids, but numbers can sometimes reach 25. The Ursids are caused by dust and debris left by the comet 8P/Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 13.6 years. The radiant point of the Ursids is the constellation Ursa Minor, and they can be seen in the northern sky. However, there will be a waxing gibbous moon during the peak night, so patience and clear skies are needed to catch a glimpse of the shooting stars.