Jakarta, Indonesia – Skywatchers are poised to witness the Epsilon Perseid meteor shower, an annual celestial event peaking in activity now and continuing through dawn around 05:25 WIB. While not as prolific as more famous showers like the Perseids or Geminids, the epsilon Perseid offers a chance to spot up to 5 meteors per hour at its zenith, making it a noteworthy phenomenon for astronomy enthusiasts.
The epsilon Perseid meteor shower originates from dust trails left by a comet with a lengthy orbital period of approximately 113 years. This prolonged orbit means the dust contributes not only to the Epsilon Perseid shower but also to other meteor streams, such as the Epsilon Perseid.
astronomers have studied the shower and its parent comet, with research published in the journal Icarus demonstrating how modeling comet orbits can improve understanding of meteor shower patterns on Earth.
Optimal viewing begins around 22:00 WIB, with the radiant – the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate – rising above the eastern horizon. The shower will be most visible approaching 04:00 WIB when the radiant is at its highest point. No special equipment is needed; the shower is best observed with the naked eye in a dark location, away from city light pollution. Allowing the eyes to adjust to the darkness for 15-20 minutes will enhance visibility, even for fainter meteors.
The meteors themselves travel at an average speed of 30-60 kilometers per second, burning up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere due to friction, creating the flashes of light visible in the night sky. Classified as a Class II variable meteor shower, the Epsilon Perseid typically exhibits a Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) between 2-10 meteors per hour at its peak.
The Epsilon Perseid appears to radiate from the Perseus constellation. This annual event provides a captivating opportunity to connect with the cosmos.
