Ursids 2026
The Ursids peak around December 22, 2026 (the Sun at 270.3° ecliptic longitude). From New York the radiant is highest at 6:02 AM, 52° above the horizon in the NNE, during the night after the peak. The Moon is 99% lit on the peak night.
Height of the radiant through the night
| Radiant | Ursa Minor (RA 219.2°, Dec 75.7°) |
|---|---|
| Speed in the atmosphere | 33 km/s |
| Parent body | 8P/Tuttle |
| Active | from about December 15 to December 28 |
Peak dates
- 2026December 22, 2026 (UTC)
- 2027December 22, 2027 (UTC)
- 2028December 21, 2028 (UTC)
How to watch a meteor shower Moon
Data: IAU Meteor Data Center, median of 6 published solutions. Peak dates are calculated from the solar longitude at maximum. IAU MDC
How to use this page
The page gives the shower’s peak for this year and the next, where its radiant is, when the radiant is highest from your place and how much moonlight there will be. Choose your place to see the times in your time zone.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to watch?
After midnight, when the radiant is high and your side of Earth faces the direction Earth is moving. A dark sky away from city lights and a Moon below the horizon help most.
Where should I look?
Anywhere in the sky. Meteors appear all over the sky, their trails just point back to the radiant. Looking about halfway up, away from the radiant, often shows longer trails.
How many meteors will I see?
Fewer than the published rate, which assumes a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. Moonlight, light pollution and a low radiant all reduce the number.
Related guides
- How to watch a meteor showerNo equipment needed: a dark sky, patience and the right hours after midnight.
- Light pollution and dark skies: the Bortle scaleFrom a city centre you can count a few dozen stars. From a truly dark site you can count a few thousand, with the Milky Way bright enough to cast a shadow. The Bortle scale puts a number on the difference.
- Moon phases explainedThe Moon is always half lit by the Sun. What changes is how much of that lit half we see from Earth.