How and when to see the last Ursids meteor shower of 2024 | Technology News

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The Ursid (URS) meteor shower is set to light up the skies from December 17 to December 24. This year, the Ursids will also be the last major meteor shower, possibly peaking around December 23rd. This makes it the best day to witness. This natural spectacle, which occurs once a year, was first observed by British astronomer William F. Denning in the early 20th century.

Although thick winter winds and a 54 percent full moon can limit visibility of the Ursids, simple tricks can help you see the last major meteor shower of 2024 in its full glory. According to a report by CNNThe Ursids shower will peak around 4 to 5 AM ET Sunday (2 to 3 PM IST), suggests Robert Lunsford, American Meteor Society’s fireball report coordinator.

For those in North America, midnight and early morning may be the best times to see the Ursid bath. At this time, with careful observation, you can spot up to 10 meteors per hour. The best part? You don’t need any extra equipment, because burning meteors can be seen with the naked eye.

However, there is some science you need to follow to catch a glimpse of these fast-moving celestial objects. According to Lunsford’s email CNN“To best see these meteors, face north with the moon behind you. Lie in a comfortable lounge chair and focus your vision halfway up the sky so that the horizon is at the bottom of your field of view. If trees or other obstructions block your view, then look a little higher in the sky. Look. The atmosphere is thickest in the lower parts of the sky, and this is where you’ll see the most activity.

Don’t rush the experience. Allow your students to adjust to the dark by sitting outside for at least an hour for the optimal meteor shower viewing experience.
If you miss the Ursids due to sleep or cloudy weather, the Quadrantids are just around the corner. They begin on December 26 and will peak on January 3. With a full moon at only 11 percent, these showers will be much easier to see than the Ursids.

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