URSID METEORS: Earth is passing through a stream of debris from comet 8P/Tuttle and this is causing the annual Ursid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the Ursids to peak on Dec. 22nd with 8 to 10 meteors per hour flying out of the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper). The display is usually mild, but outbursts of Ursids occasionally surprise observers with rates many times normal.
While not the biggest meteor shower of the year, the Ursid's are bright, fast meteors. I took the puppy out at 6:00 this morning and as I was looking up at the cresent moon, an Ursids came streaking overhead. It was bright and long. For those in the warmer climates, this is a nice shower to catch. The meteor rate isn't all that high, but the meteors are bright and leave long trails.
FYI, the Ursid's come out of Ursa Minor, AKA the Little Dipper. So look for them coming from the north to the south.



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