A beautiful astronomical phenomenon in the sky coinciding with the beginning of winter

2024-12-21 2024-12-21T10:48:46Z

Arab Weather - If you missed the Geminid meteor shower earlier in the month, don't worry, as the sky offers another opportunity for meteor-watching enthusiasts.

The Ursa Minor meteor shower, the last meteor show of 2024, will peak in the early hours of Sunday, December 22.

How many meteors can we expect to see?

The Ursa Major meteor shower is not one of the most active meteor showers. Under the best of conditions, you can see more than 10 meteors per hour. However, with the overlapping moon phase (last quarter) this year, expectations may be lower, with only about 5 meteors per hour expected. However, surprises may occur, as happened previously in years such as 1945 and 1968 when more than 100 meteors per hour were recorded.

Why are the Ursa meteor showers called Ursa Major?

The Ursa Minor meteor shower gets its name from its apparent emission point, the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the “Little Bear.” But it actually originates from comet 8P/Tuttle, and the meteors are the source of the meteors, debris left behind by the comet as it orbits the sun. As Earth passes through this debris, it burns up in the atmosphere, creating the meteor shower.

How to prepare for viewing the Ursa Major meteor shower?

Best time to view the Ursa Minor meteor shower

The Ursa Minor meteor shower runs from December 17 to 26, and is expected to peak in the predawn hours of December 22. It is best to begin observing at a time when light is at its lowest, when the irradiance is at its highest.

Moonlight effect on vision this year

Unfortunately, the Moon will be near its last quarter phase during peak at 54% illumination, making the sky brighter and making it less likely to see the faint meteors. For the best experience, dress warmly and head to a dark area with an open horizon away from light pollution. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and look slightly away from the radiant point.

When is the next meteor shower?

After the Ursa Minor meteor shower ends, astronomy enthusiasts can look forward to the Quadrantids meteor shower, which will peak from the night of January 2 to the morning of January 3, 2025, as the first meteor show of the new year.