Still Time To Catch Shooting Stars: Ursid Meteor Shower Continues Over Maryland Skies

CALIFORNIA, Md. — As the winter solstice brought the longest night of the year, skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere had an added reason to look up. The Ursid meteor shower peaked overnight Dec. 21 into the early hours of Dec. 22, and meteors will continue to be visible through Dec. 26 as the shower slowly fades.

The Ursids occur annually when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet 8P/Tuttle, with tiny particles burning up in the atmosphere and creating brief streaks of light. While the shower is considered minor compared with others earlier in December, observers under clear, dark skies may have seen five to 10 meteors per hour at its peak, according to LiveMint.

Live Science reports that the Ursid meteor shower typically runs from mid-December through late December, with peak activity occurring between Dec. 21 and Dec. 22. This year’s timing closely aligned with the winter solstice, offering extended hours of darkness that improved viewing opportunities for patient observers.

Viewing conditions were favorable in many areas. LiveMint noted that limited moonlight during the peak allowed fainter meteors to be more easily seen, especially from locations far from city lights. Dark skies helped make the Ursids’ fast-moving streaks more visible, with some appearing brighter than average.

In guidance published by Forbes, astronomy experts explained that the Ursids appear to radiate from near the constellation Ursa Minor, close to the star Kochab, which remains visible throughout the night in northern latitudes. While that part of the sky serves as a helpful reference, meteors can appear anywhere overhead, making wide-angle viewing ideal.

Forbes also recommended beginning observations in the late evening, with the hours before dawn offering the best conditions due to Earth’s rotation placing viewers more directly into the stream of comet debris. No telescopes or binoculars were needed, as meteor showers are best viewed with the naked eye.

According to Live Science, skywatchers were advised to allow 20 to 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness and to dress warmly for winter temperatures. Finding an open area with minimal artificial lighting and an unobstructed view of the sky was key to the best viewing experience.

Though the Ursids may not rival more active meteor showers, their appearance on the night of the winter solstice gave them special appeal. As LiveMint pointed out, the combination of seasonal symbolism and celestial activity made the event a memorable way to mark the official start of winter.

Skywatching Recap: Ursid Viewing Highlights

Active: Dec. 17–Dec. 26, 2025
Peak: Overnight Dec. 21 through dawn on Dec. 22
Best visibility: Northern Hemisphere
Meteors seen: Roughly 5–10 per hour under ideal conditions
Viewing direction: Radiated from near Ursa Minor but visible across the sky

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