The final meteor shower of the year, known as the Ursids, will reach its peak on Sunday, just a few days ahead of Christmas.
Typically, the Ursids are not as luminous as the Geminids, but they have the potential to surprise observers.
According to Shyam Balaji from King’s College London, the Ursids are relatively scarce, with an expected display of about 5 to 10 visible meteors per hour under optimal conditions.
However, significant outbursts were recorded in 1945 and 1986, where the rate surged to nearly 100 meteors per hour.
Balaji noted, “This unpredictability keeps skywatchers interested,” emphasizing that it’s impossible to forecast how many meteors will be visible this year.
Most meteor showers are derived from the remnants of comets, and they do not require any specialized equipment for viewing.
The Ursids specifically stem from comet 8P/Tuttle.
On the night of the peak, the moon will be 59% illuminated, which may obscure some meteors from view.
The opportunity for viewing the Ursids will extend until December 26.
Looking ahead, the next meteor shower, the Quadrantids, is expected to peak on January 3.