Stargazers across the United Kingdom are in for a festive celestial treat as the Ursid meteor shower, the last major display of the year, reaches its peak intensity this weekend.
When and Where to Watch the Ursids
The shower's peak activity is expected from the night of Sunday 21 December into the early hours of Monday 22 December 2025. However, the spectacle will remain visible for several nights, with activity continuing until 26 December.
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere, including all of the UK, have the best vantage point. Under ideal dark skies, you can expect to see between five and ten meteors per hour during the peak. Excitingly, the Ursids are known for occasional outbursts, where rates can surge to around 25 meteors per hour.
No Telescope Needed: Simple Viewing Tips
The good news for casual observers is that no special equipment is required to enjoy the show. In fact, the best way to watch is with the naked eye, allowing you to take in a wide expanse of the sky.
For the optimal experience, follow these simple steps:
- Find a location as far away from city lights and light pollution as possible.
- Give your eyes at least 15-20 minutes to adjust fully to the darkness.
- Dress warmly and be prepared to be patient, looking up at a clear, open sky.
This year's viewing conditions are favourable, as a narrow crescent moon will provide minimal interference, leaving the sky pleasingly dark for meteor spotting.
The Cosmic Source of the Ursids
Meteor showers occur when our planet orbits through a trail of debris left behind by comets or asteroids. As these tiny particles, often no larger than grains of sand, collide with Earth's atmosphere at high speed, they vaporise, creating the bright streaks of light we call meteors or shooting stars.
The Ursids originate from comet 8P/Tuttle. The meteors will appear to radiate from the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor, commonly known as the Little Dipper, which gives the shower its name.
Compared to busier showers like December's Geminids, the Ursids feature less cosmic debris, resulting in a more modest but still beautiful display. It offers a perfect, peaceful opportunity for some post-solstice and pre-Christmas skywatching.
