The Gamma-Ursae Minorid Meteor Shower Peaks This Month—Here's How to See It

Kick the new year off with a dazzling sight—the Gamma-Ursae Minorid meteor shower will light up the night sky starting on January 15 and ending on January 25, according to Space.com.

The shower will reach its peak on January 19 at around 11:00 a.m. EST, so it's best to view the shooting stars either before dawn or after dusk on Thursday when the sky is dark.

The Gamma-Ursae Minorids occur when Earth passes through a cloud of debris left behind by a comet. The debris that creates this specific meteor shower enters Earth's atmosphere at speeds of around 67,000 miles per hour, which then burn up less than 100 miles above the surface of the Earth, Space.com reports.

At its peak, the Gamma-Ursae Minorids are expected to produce just about three meteors per hour, according to In-The-Sky.org. Despite not being a particularly impressive meteor shower, stargazers have a better chance of seeing the shooting stars due to the fact that the moon is close to its new moon phase on January 19. This means that the sky will be almost completely dark, Space.com reports.

For optimal stargazing, travel to a location away from city and street lights, as well as air pollution. Give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the dark and you'll have a chance at catching January's Gamma-Ursae Minorids.