The peak of the Ursid meteor shower in 2025: The skies of the Arab world bid farewell to the year with an astronomical event
Tomorrow evening, the eyes of astronomy enthusiasts and nature lovers in the skies of the Arab world will be turned towards the northern horizon to observe the peak of the Ursid meteor shower, which will begin its noticeable activity from midnight tomorrow and continue until the early hours of Tuesday, December 23, 2025. This distinctive astronomical event coincides with the winter solstice and the beginning of winter astronomically, serving as the grand finale to the year's astronomical events.
Details of the astronomical event and how it occurred
Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that this annual phenomenon occurs when the Earth, in its orbit around the sun, passes through a cloud of dust and rocky debris left behind by the periodic comet 8P/Tuttle. Once these dust particles enter the Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speeds, they burn up due to intense friction at altitudes ranging from 80 to 120 kilometers, leaving behind bright streaks of light known as meteors.
Exceptional monitoring conditions this year
What makes the Ursid meteor shower in 2025 unique is the availability of exceptionally ideal viewing conditions. Experts have noted that the moon will be in its crescent phase, meaning it will be absent from the sky during the late night and peak viewing hours. This absence will provide exceptionally dark skies, essential for clear meteor observations free from the moon's natural light pollution. This will allow observers to see even the fainter meteors that might be obscured by the moon's illumination in other years.
Best times and locations to watch
The Ursid meteor shower is active annually between December 17 and 25, but its true peak occurs when its radiant point in the constellation Ursa Minor reaches its highest point in the sky. Astronomers recommend looking towards the northern horizon, specifically towards Polaris (the North Star), to enjoy viewing approximately 5 to 10 meteors per hour under clear atmospheric conditions.
Scientific and historical importance
The Ursid meteor shower holds particular significance for the astronomical community, not only because it is the last major meteor shower of the year, but also because it was discovered relatively recently compared to other well-known showers such as the Perseids and the Geminids. It has been recognized as a regular, periodic shower for about a century, making its observation an opportunity to confirm astronomical calculations concerning the orbit of the comet responsible for it and the distribution of dusty debris in the solar system.
In conclusion, this phenomenon is a wonderful opportunity for astrophotographers and nature lovers in the Arab world to go out to dark desert or rural areas, away from city lights, to document and watch this serene celestial display that graces the long winter nights.
