The Ursidis meteor shower will reach its peak tomorrow night: Where will it be visible?

The Ursid meteor shower will reach its peak activity on the night of December 22, but observations may be hindered by the nearly full phase of the Moon, which will illuminate the skies. This information comes from the TASS news agency, citing the Moscow Planetarium's press service.

"The observation conditions for the Ursids in 2023 are not entirely favorable. The Moon is approaching full moon (on December 27) and will interfere with meteor observations," said a representative of the planetarium, adding that the Moon will be illuminated to 74% on the upcoming night.

To remind, the annual Ursid meteor shower can be observed only from the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth above the northern horizon. The area where the meteors originate is located in the constellation Ursa Minor, near the North Pole. Residents of Russia will be able to observe the meteor shower throughout the country under clear weather conditions. The night from December 21 to 22, when the Ursids' intensity reaches its maximum, will be the longest of the year, as it coincides with the winter solstice.

The Ursid meteor shower is observed every December when our planet passes through the trail of particles left by the periodic comet 8P/Tuttle. These particles burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, creating bright flashes known as meteors.

"In the past, the Ursids provided bursts of up to 90-120 meteors per hour, but their usual activity in recent years is around 10 meteors per hour. In terms of speed, the meteor shower is very similar to the Geminids, but in terms of brightness and frequency, its meteors are significantly weaker," specified the planetarium representative.