The Ursid meteor shower is the final meteor shower of the year, peaking around December 21 to 22. Unlike more famous showers, the Ursids are subtle, typically producing about five to ten meteors per hour under dark skies.

What makes the Ursids special is their timing. They arrive during the winter solstice, when nights in the Northern Hemisphere are at their longest. With less moonlight and fewer competing sky events, even a small number of meteors can stand out.

The Ursids appear to radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, near the Little Dipper and the North Star. The best time to watch is late at night through the hours before dawn. No telescope is needed, just clear skies, patience, and warm clothing.