A Christmas gift: How to watch the Ursids meteor shower in Switzerland

Christmas in Switzerland is set to come early with this celestial treat: the Ursids meteor shower will peak on the night of December 22. Here’s how to see this stunning meteor shower in Switzerland and when you should look to the skies.

Ursids meteor shower in Switzerland

While not as famous as the Perseids or the Leonids, the Ursids meteor shower still provides a spectacular show in the skies over Switzerland. While originally thought to originate from the constellation of Ursa Minor - where the shower got its name - astronomers now think that the meteor show is sourced from debris left behind by the comet 8P / Tuttle.

The Ursids are present in the skies above Switzerland between December 17 and 26. Luckily, the longer nights will make it all the easier to see the meteor shower, especially in high-altitude areas like ski resorts and towns in the mountains.

Ursids meteor shower to peak in Switzerland on December 22

The peak of the Ursids meteor shower is expected in Switzerland on the night of December 22. At its peak, around 10 meteors an hour can be seen. This is made all the better by the fact that the peak is close to the longest night of the year (December 21) and is due to take place on the night of a New Moon - a time when the moon is least visible and therefore least bright.

From Zurich and other areas of Switzerland, the meteors will be visible just to the left of the top of Ursa Minor. For your best chance to see them, it’s best to retreat from the cities to areas with less light pollution like hills, fields and mountains, but be sure to wrap up warm as winter nights can be quite chilly. Here’s to hoping the weather in Switzerland will give families and individuals across the alpine nation the chance to see this magical meteor shower!