2023 is almost over and this year we witnessed some of the best spectacles of the night, whether it was C/2023 H2 (Lemmon) or different meteor showers, astronomical enthusiasts had a lot of things to look for in their calendars.
The Ursid meteor shower comes from the direction of ‘The Little Dipper.’ You need to look for the Kochab star specifically, which is the part of Ursa Minor. If you need to find the Ursa Minor, look for Ursa Major in your smartphone app.
Ursa Minor is an asterism which is a relatively new term. It is a pattern of stars, similar to a constellation, however, it differs based on their size and the number of stars present in the pattern. Leaving the technicalities of the term, you need to find the Ursa Minor to view the astronomical event.
Ursid Meteor Shower: Capturing The Beauty of Night
Even though there is also a winter solstice before the Ursid meteor shower, the shooting stars are more amazing spectacle of the night. Now, it can be a subjective opinion when it comes to viewing the night sky as each person has their ways of looking into the night. However, some important ways by which you can make your experience more wonderful is by using the following ways.
23rd December: Peak of Ursid Meteor Shower
The event will peak on the night of 23rd December and one can enjoy the shooting stars till early dawn. On top of that, there are even chances that the moonlight may not hinder the whole experience. So, make sure to warm yourself on the cold night of December and have a great experience.
Frequency of the Sight
If you’re lucky then be amazed by 8-16 meteors per hour. Now, this number may sound lit less but it is just a number. The probability and frequency of the event may vary from place to place. Now, some lucky fellows might see 30 meteors in an hour while some might not meet the same expectation.
It also depends on the light pollution and individuals; whether they are looking at the right place or not.
Tips To Elevate Your Shooting Stars Viewing Experience
Follow these tricks if you want to improve your Ursid meteor shower viewing in the night:
- Stay away from light pollution
- Choose a hilly area
- Navigate to the Ursa Minor using a phone
- Telescopes can add a lot of gravity to the experience
- Most importantly, be patient.
Final Thoughts
In 2023, astronomers celebrated the end of the year with the Ursid meteor shower, a celestial event originating from the Little Dipper. To view the event, look for the Kochab star in Ursa Minor, an asterism similar to a constellation. The peak of the shower is on 23rd December, with 8-16 meteors per hour. To enhance the viewing experience, stay away from light pollution, choose hilly areas, use a smartphone, and be patient.
Check Out Our Blogs on Meteor Showers
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What is the rate of the Ursid meteor shower?
Ursid’s viewing has a probability of five to ten per hour, depending on the location and can differ for different areas.
What comet is responsible for Ursid?
Comet 8P/Tuttle is the main reason for Ursid meteor showers.
What are 2 fun facts about comets?
Two interesting facts about comets are:
- Comets range from 1 km in diameter to around 300 km.
- There are three parts to Comets: Nucleus, Coma, and Tail.
What is the king of meteor shower?
The Geminids coming from the constellation Gemini direction are king of meteor showers because of their high viewing rate (about 120 per hour).
