The parent body of the Epsilon-Perseids meteor shower has not yet been precisely identified. Scientists suggest that this September meteor shower may be associated with an unknown long-period comet that orbits the Sun for more than 200 years. This was stated by Evgeny Burmistrov, an astronomy expert at Perm National Research Polytechnic University.
The Epsilon-Perseids are observed from September 5 to 21 and are among the fastest, yet rather faint, meteor showers. In 2026, maximum activity is expected on the night of September 9-10. According to astronomers' forecasts, up to eight flashes per hour will be visible in the sky at this time.
As a comet approaches the Sun, its nucleus heats up and begins to eject dust and ice particles. These remain in orbit and gradually form a dust trail. When Earth passes through this trail, the particles enter the atmosphere – and from the surface, we see meteors, which are called a meteor shower.
However, scientists have not yet found the parent comet itself. The existence of the stream was determined through regular observations. In early September each year, meteors with the same speed appeared in the same area of the sky, which was then associated with the star Epsilon Persei.
This coincidence indicates their common origin, which allowed them to be identified as a separate cosmic phenomenon and their orbit to be calculated.
The Epsilon-Perseids are among the fastest, yet rather faint, meteor showers. Meteors from this stream move at a speed of about 64 km/s.