2025 Ursid meteor shower peaks next week: Here's when and where you can see it

The annual Ursid meteor shower, which is often overshadowed by the festive season and the much more popular Geminids, is on track for an excellent appearance this year, and astronomers are urging sky-gazers to head outside as viewing conditions are expected to be ideal this year, according to EarthSky. 

Predictions indicate that the shower will peak on December 22, 2025, around 11:00 UTC. But the best time for viewers to catch the action is during the overnight hours of December 21 into the dawn of December 22. Crucially, a new moon is scheduled for December 20 at 1:43 UTC. That means the usual problem of moonlight interfering with dim meteors will be nonexistent, providing a rare, truly dark sky. 

While the Ursids are usually a modest display, producing about 5 to 10 meteors per hour, they have occasionally surprised onlookers. Rare, intense bursts in the past have produced 100 or more meteors per hour, keeping northern viewers interested despite the cold. The shower is active from December 13 to 24. 

The name Ursids derives from its radiant point, the location in the sky from which the meteor shower appears to originate. This point lies within the constellation Ursa Minor near the star Kochab. This makes the Northern Hemisphere the best location for viewing. Observers should look toward the north-northeast after 1 a.m. local time on the peak night. For Southern Hemisphere observers, the radiant is too far north to be seen easily. In fact, there's a chance that observers in the Southern Hemisphere might not be able to see any meteors at all.

Viewers should travel to a dark, rural setting far from city lights for an ideal experience. Wear several layers of warm clothing and carry a sleeping bag or blanket. Lie back in a comfortable position and get ready to spend hours gazing up at the stars. 

The periodic comet responsible for the stream of debris producing the Ursid shower is officially known as 8P/Tuttle. It was first observed over 235 years ago by French astronomer Pierre Mechain of Paris on January 9, 1790. At the time, however, available data was insufficient to make any prediction of its return. It wasn't until 68 years later, in 1858, that American astronomer Horace Tuttle rediscovered the comet and followed it long enough to calculate its 13.7-year orbit. It was subsequently named after him, in recognition of his calculation of its periodic path. Comet 8P/Tuttle follows an elliptical path that brings it as close to the Sun as Earth's orbit and carries it outward almost to the orbit of Saturn.

Earth cruises through the comet's trail of debris each year, creating the Ursids. Curiously, the comet's visit to the inner solar system is not related to the spectacular meteor outbursts. The dust and debris ejected from the comet travel on a somewhat different path and fall behind it. 

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