Peak / best inCalculating countdown…
Meteor shower
Ursids peak
A modest northern shower near the December solstice.
DateWednesday, December 23, 2026
Local time06:30
VisibilityDifficult
LocationBucharest
What to know
Best before dawn56° radiant altitude toward NNorthern Hemisphere favored10 ideal ZHR · the real count is usually lower99% MoonNaked eyeYear-specific peak time
How this was calculated
Reference event
Active periodDec 13–Dec 25Best sampled moment: Wednesday, December 23, 2026 00:00
- Source
- International Meteor Organization annual shower calendar
- Method
- Published activity ranges with Moon interference calculated for the peak.
- Accuracy and limits
- Meteor peaks can drift by several hours and the quoted rate assumes a dark sky with the radiant high overhead.
What you will actually see
Meteor showers reward patience and a wide field of view. The quoted rate assumes a very dark sky with the radiant high overhead.
Where to lookThe clearest, darkest part of your sky, but keep most of the sky in view rather than staring directly at the radiant.
What to bringNaked eye only. Binoculars and telescopes show too little sky to catch meteors reliably.
Prepare for the event
- Go somewhere dark and block nearby lamps from view.
- Bring a reclining chair, warm layers, and a dim red light.
- Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to darkness.
How to observe it
- Begin near the recommended time and settle in for at least one hour.
- Look roughly halfway between the radiant and the zenith.
- Avoid checking a bright phone screen; short quiet intervals are normal.