Meteor showers: National Geographic discusses Earth's timeline
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Tonight the Ursid meteor shower is due to light up the night skies across the UK. The shower coincides with the winter solstice and is recognised as one of the biggest displays of the year. As the last meteor shower of 2021 stargazers are recommended to find a clear and wide-open space to catch the best view possible. However, the weather can also play a significant role in how well you can view the shower. So, what is tonight’s forecast like?
Unfortunately, for anyone who is planning to watch the Ursid meteor shower the weather forecast is not looking ideal.
Currently, the Met Office is predicting thick levels of cloud cover for most areas of the UK.
As part of its forecast for tonight, the weather forecaster added it will be: “Mostly cloudy for Northern Ireland and Scotland but cloud gradually breaking for much of England and Wales leading to a cold and frosty night for many.”
Indeed, as temperatures are poised to dip beneath freezing for places in northern England and Scotland, stargazers are advised to wear appropriate clothing and wrap up warm.
BBC Weather forecast says: “Today, Wales and western England will have some bright spells. Further north and east, it will be cloudier, but it will stay mainly dry. The far north of Scotland will see a few spots of light rain.
“Tonight will be mostly dry, with variable cloud and clear spells. Northernmost Scotland will continue to see spots of light rain. Towards dawn, spells of rain may begin to reach into Northern Ireland.”
How can I watch the shower?
The Ursids, like many other meteor showers, can be seen with the naked eye so there’s no need to own a telescope or a pair of binoculars.
Instead, it’s advised that you find a safe space to watch the shower from, ideally one free of any street lights or other sources of light pollution.
As the meteors can be viewed in all sections of the sky it’s also preferable to be in a wide-open space, where you are able to scan the night sky with your eyes.
Spotting meteors can often be a waiting game so coming prepared with a comfortable chair is another top tip for avid observers.
The Ursid meteor shower tends to be sparse, producing around five meteors per hour. Although this number can reach up to 10 at its peak.
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The Ursids appear to radiate from near the Beta Ursae Minoris (Kochab) in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear).
However, the actual source of the shooting stars is a stream of debris left behind by the comet 8P/Tuttle.
Each December, the Ursids return and typically they peak on the night of the winter solstice.
Consequently, this means that they’re visible for stargazers on the longest night of the year.
Their appearance often leads to them being referred to as shooting stars, though the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has explained that it’s the trail and not the meteor itself which produces the light source.
The US space agency says: “As the space rock falls toward Earth, the resistance – or drag – of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot. What we see is a ‘shooting star’. That bright streak is not actually the rock, but rather the glowing hot air as the hot rock zips through the atmosphere.”
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