Don't Miss The Ursid Meteor Shower Peaking This Week

Get ready to wrap up the year of watching the skies as the Ursid meteor shower is peaking this week.

The Ursid meteor shower always peaks around the December solstice, which is happening Tuesday, EarthSky noted. This year, the Ursids are expected to peak on the night of Dec. 21 and 22.

Among the many stunning meteor showers that grace the skies throughout the year, the Ursids actually tend to be "neglected," according to the American Meteor Society. This is because the Ursids happen quite close to Christmas, and the meteor rates are less than the Geminids, which occur just a week before and are even considered to be the "strongest meteor shower of the year."

Usually, the Ursids produce a humble five to 10 meteors per hour. This year, however, there will be another bit of disruption in looking out for the Ursids because it will happen on a day when the moon is 93% full. This means that its bright light may make spotting Ursids a little bit harder.

However, that doesn't mean the Ursids aren't worthy of a night out of skywatching. A "strictly" northern hemisphere meteor shower, the Ursids is also known for its rare outbursts during which it produces more meteors per hour than its typical rate. For instance, the Ursids produced over 100 meteors per hour in 1945, Farmer's Almanac noted. Such was also the case in 1986, according to EarthSky. The year 1973 also saw an "unexpected" increase of 30 meteors per hour.

However, such outbursts are quite rare. But even catching a glimpse of an Ursid meteor or two in the early hours of Dec. 22 can still be an excellent way to cap the year of skywatching.

Those who would like to look out for the Ursids don't need any special equipment to do so. Skywatchers should simply find a dark place that's far from city lights and has a wide view of the night sky. Bringing a blanket or comfortable chair may help make the wait more comfortable, and it's best to set aside a few hours of skywatching between midnight and dawn. According to EarthSky, the predawn hours are "usually the most favorable" for the activity.

Don't forget to dress warmly and to pack some patience, as it could get cold and the wait could take a long time. Moreover, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness and you may just begin spotting the Ursids.