Epsilon Perseids meteor shower: when to watch, what time and where to look

The Epsilon Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak between the night of September 8 and the early morning of September 9, offering a chance to see bright streaks across the sky without specialized equipment.

The shower could produce up to five meteors per hour as Earth passes through dust left by its parent comet. The best time to watch is from midnight until the first hours before dawn, especially between about 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., when the radiant is highest.

The radiant lies near the star Epsilon in the constellation Perseus. It appears in the northeastern sky during the early evening. Stargazers are advised to leave urban areas, find an open location and give their eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness.

Unlike the traditional August Perseids, the Epsilon Perseids come from a different particle stream. The American Meteor Society says the particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at about 64 kilometers per second, creating quick, bright trails that can sometimes linger for several seconds.

Telescopes and binoculars are unnecessary and can reduce the field of view. Astronomers recommend lying on the ground and looking toward the zenith to cover as much sky as possible.