The Ursids meteor shower, which generates shooting stars each year in late December, does not have the same punch as the summer Perseids or the Gemini in early December. But it will peak this week – around the same time, the rare “Christmas star” will flicker in the night sky.
So if you look up at the sky at the right time, there’s a chance you’ll see some meteors. It all depends on whether Mother Nature cooperates. (More on that below.)
Here’s what you need to know about the 2020 Ursids meteor shower, including the weather outlook for the New Jersey region:
When: The Ursids meteor shower will be visible until December 26 anywhere in the northern hemisphere.
top: Its peak period will be overnight, Monday, December 21 – the first day of winter – until early morning, Tuesday, December 22. At that time, the month of December will be full of 45% to 55%, which could make it difficult to see the weakest meteors.
How active: This meteor shower usually generates only five to 10 shooting stars per hour, with the highest number in the darkest locations. However, from time to time, this shower over-performs. In 1945 and 1986, the Ursids produced up to 50 meteors per hour, Space.com notes. In addition, there have been occasional years of “explosions of 100 or more meteors per hour,” according to EarthSky.org.
Funny facts: “The shower is called Urside, because the meteors seem to radiate from the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor in the sky,” says TimeAndDate.com. “Bears are associated with comet 8P / Tuttle.”
NJ Weather Forecast: From now on, the forecast does not look good for viewing the sky. Meteorologists from the National Meteorological Service are asking for a cloudy sky Monday night, with a 50% to 60% chance of light snow in North Jersey and temperatures dropping to about 30 degrees. In Central Jersey, there is a 60% chance of light rain and snow before 3 o’clock in the morning, and in South Jersey there is a 60% chance of rain and snow before 21:00, then rain after that.
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Len Melisurgo can be contacted at [email protected].