### The Ursid Meteor Shower: A Celestial Farewell to 2025 As the year draws to a close, the Ursid meteor shower offers a spectacular display in the night sky, marking the final celestial event of 2025. This meteor shower, which peaks around the winter solstice, is a chance for stargazers to witness shooting stars against the backdrop of the longest night of the year. The Ursids are known for their modest activity, typically producing about 5 to 10 meteors per hour, but under optimal conditions, observers may see bursts of up to 25 meteors per hour [https://www.thedailyjagran.com/world/metor-shower-ursids-when-and-how-to-watch-cosmic-phenomena-before-christmas-10287315]. ### Understanding the Ursid Meteor Shower: Structure and Timing 1. **Peak Timing**: The Ursid meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of December 21-22, 2025, with the best viewing opportunities occurring in the pre-dawn hours [https://www.gulf-insider.com/ursid-meteor-shower-to-peak-over-saudi]. 2. **Visibility**: Observers in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in regions with dark skies, will have the best chance to see the meteors. The radiant point of the shower rises above the eastern horizon, enhancing visibility [https://diz.news/ursid-meteor-shower-peaks-just-before-christmas-offering-night-sky-spectacle]. 3. **Meteor Count**: During the peak, viewers can expect to see approximately 10 shooting stars per hour, with conditions potentially allowing for higher rates of visibility [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ursid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight-101225709.html]. ### Key Data and Observational Insights - **Meteor Rate**: Up to **10-15 meteors per hour** under ideal conditions [https://diz.news/geminid-meteor-shower-2025-delights-skywatchers-with-spectacular-end-year-display]. - **Best Viewing Time**: The optimal viewing window is between **02:00 and 04:00 UTC** on December 22, when the radiant point is highest in the sky [https://www.space.com/stargazing/meteor-showers/ursid-meteor-shower-2025-peaks-tonight-heres-what-to-expect-from-the-yuletide-light-show]. - **Location**: Clear, dark skies away from urban light pollution will significantly enhance the viewing experience [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-last-meteor-shower-of-2025-and-the-winter-solstice-align-this-weekend]. ### Conclusion: A Celestial Event Not to Be Missed In summary, the **Ursid meteor shower** provides a unique opportunity for skywatchers to enjoy one last celestial spectacle before the year ends. 1. **Timing**: The shower peaks on December 21-22, 2025, coinciding with the winter solstice. 2. **Visibility**: Best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in dark locations. 3. **Meteor Activity**: Expect around 10 meteors per hour, with potential bursts of activity. This event is a fitting farewell to 2025, inviting all to look up and appreciate the wonders of the night sky [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/how-to-watch-the-ursids-meteors-tonight/story].