Ursid meteor shower marks the last display of shooting stars of the year. Stargazers can expect to see up to 10 shooting stars per hour as the Earth moves through the field of debris in the solar system left behind by comet 8P / Tuttle. The earth is moving further in the field of debris as we speak, and the peak of the Ursid meteors will arrive shortly after midnight tonight, December 21st.
How can I see shooting stars?
The shooting stars will emanate from the constellation Ursa Minor – hence the name Ursid – which is also known as the Little Car.
To find Carul Mic, look almost practically to the exact magnetic north.
While Carul Mare, which is easier to find, resembles a star formation that looks similar to a vertical kite shape, including a long tail, Carul Mic is to the east and looks like a kite upside down.
What makes the strawberry easier to find is that the tip of the “tail” is Polaris, also known as the North Star – one of the brightest stars at night, which is almost directly to the north.
Make sure you find an area with clear skies – which can be a task in itself in December – and away from light pollution.
Fortunately, the Moon is only in the first quarter of this evening, reducing the amount of natural light pollution in the sky.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory said: “This year, the tip of the Ursids coincides with the first quarter of the Moon, which means that despite the rare nature of the shower, you can only see a few shooting stars.
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Unfortunately, the typical weather in mid-December could make shooting stars difficult to notice.
Gray skies are expected in much of the UK tonight, according to the Met Office, although clear sky spots may give you a look.
The Meteorological Service said: “Showers limited to the north and west of Scotland. They are cooling under clear spells for a while.
“Rain in the south-west spreads over much of England and Wales overnight. Wind in the south.”