The Ursids meteor shower is an annual event that occurs from December 13 to 24, peaking around December 22-23. This meteor shower is caused by the debris left behind by Comet 8P/Tuttle as it orbits the sun every 13.5 years. The radiant, or the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, is located in the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper.In 2024, the Ursids are expected to produce about 5-10 meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions, though there have been instances in the past where the shower has produced much higher rates, such as in 1945 and 1986. The best time to view the meteor shower is in the predawn hours when the radiant is at its highest point in the sky. However, this year, the viewing will be slightly hindered by the last quarter moon, which will be 59% illuminated on the night of December 21 and 22.To maximize your chances of seeing the Ursids, find a dark location away from city lights, lean back, and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. You don't need any special equipment like telescopes or binoculars; just look up and take in as much of the sky as possible. The meteors will appear all over the sky, so it's not necessary to focus on the radiant point directly.