Ursids 2028
A modest solstice shower from a near-circumpolar northern radiant, easy to overlook next to the Geminids.
Maximum: December 22, 2028 Active: Dec 17 – Dec 26 Sharp peak: timing matters
Viewing from New York
The Ursids reach maximum on December 22, 2028, with a peak rate of up to 10 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies (active Dec 17 – Dec 26). The Moon is only 37% lit, so moonlight barely affects the peak night. A favourable year. This is a sharp maximum only a few hours wide, so the exact night and time matter: check the timing for your own location before heading out.
Nominal ZHR
10/hr
Moon
37% Waxing Crescent
Moon interference
Minimal (good)
Moon conditions computed for New York, 2028.
About the Ursids
Active
Dec 17 – Dec 26
Radiant (J2000)
14h 28m, +76°
Velocity
33 km/s
Nominal ZHR
10 / hour
Population index
r = 2.8
Parent body
Comet 8P/Tuttle
The date of maximum is taken from the IMO Working List of Visual Meteor Showers; the radiant, velocity and parent body come from the IAU Meteor Data Center. Only the Moon phase and interference are computed for the year and location shown.