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Ursid Meteor Shower Peaks Sunday Night Under Dark Skies

Exceptionally dark skies from a near-new moon during the solstice offer Northern Hemisphere observers a rare advantage.

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The Jupiter Saturn Great Conjunction of 2020 coincided with the Ursid meteor shower, shown here above Ashland, Oregon.
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Overview

  • The final major shower of 2025 reaches maximum from late Sunday into early Monday, with the best viewing typically between midnight and 5 a.m. ET.
  • Observers usually see about five to 10 meteors per hour, though the American Meteor Society notes a predicted debris trail could briefly boost activity.
  • Visibility favors the Northern Hemisphere, with the radiant near Kochab in Ursa Minor, yet streaks can appear anywhere across the sky.
  • The Ursids stem from dust shed by comet 8P/Tuttle and remain active roughly December 17–26 each year.
  • The International Meteor Organization points to possible spikes near 12:30 a.m. EST and again around 5 a.m. EST Monday; seek dark sites, avoid bright screens, and allow 20–30 minutes for night vision.