The Ursids
Next peak: . The Moon will be 98% lit (waxing gibbous), which will wash out all but the brightest meteors.
- Active
- 12/17 to 12/26 (month/day)
- Peak rate (ZHR)
- 10 per hour
- Radiant
- RA 217°, Dec +76°
- Speed
- 33 km/s (medium)
- Peak solar longitude
- 270.7°
- Parent body
- comet 8P/Tuttle
About the Ursids
A small shower around the December solstice with a radiant close to Kochab in the Little Dipper. It is circumpolar from most of the northern hemisphere, so meteors can appear all night, with the best chance before dawn. Occasional outbursts have been recorded.
When and where to look. Northern hemisphere only; the radiant never rises for most of the southern hemisphere.
Best viewing on the peak night
| City | Night of | Best time (local) | Radiant height | Rough rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | Tue 22 Dec | 62° | up to ~9/h | |
| New York | Tue 22 Dec | 52° | up to ~8/h | |
| Los Angeles | Tue 22 Dec | 44° | up to ~7/h | |
| Singapore | Tue 22 Dec | 10° | up to ~2/h | |
| Sydney | Tue 22 Dec | radiant never rises | ||
| Cape Town | Tue 22 Dec | radiant never rises |
Rough rate = ZHR × sine of the radiant altitude, at the darkest hour with the radiant highest. Light pollution and moonlight reduce it further.
Peak dates by year
| Year | Peak (UTC) | Moon |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6% | |
| 2026 | 98% | |
| 2027 | 21% | |
| 2028 | 36% |
Computed as the moment the Sun reaches ecliptic longitude 270.7° (equinox J2000), the peak position in the IMO working list.
