A minor meteor shower that occasionally produces stronger displays
September (Epsilon Perseids)
A minor meteor shower that produced a somewhat stronger display in 2013
September is often overlooked by many meteor observers due to there being no major meteor showers active. However, it is around this time of the year that sporadic background activity peaks and a number of minor meteor showers are also active.
The Alpha Aurigids start in August and peak at the August/September transition. Moonlight circumstances are poor in 2015 with Full Moon occurring during the night of Aug 29-30 and therefore it will be in the sky throughut the hours of darkness on the night of maximum. Dramatic enhancements of Alpha Aurigid activity have been seen in some years, but none are predicted for 2015. The radiant is at RA 06h04m, Dec +39 .
The September Perseids (sometimes referred to as the Epsilon Perseids) peak around the 9th of the month. The shower is properly observable from the UK by 22h UT, and can be watched thereafter all night. A stronger than usual display from this shower was detected in 2013. A Full Moon restricted observations in 2014, but nothing unusual was reported. Prospects are better for 2015, with the 15% illuminated crescent Moon on maximum night being located in Cancer and therefore only rising late in the night.
A chart showing the radiant location is shown below - note that at maximum the radiant lies close to beta Per (Algol) rather than Epsilon Persei.
The Alpha Aurigids start in August and peak at the August/September transition. Moonlight circumstances are poor in 2015 with Full Moon occurring during the night of Aug 29-30 and therefore it will be in the sky throughut the hours of darkness on the night of maximum. Dramatic enhancements of Alpha Aurigid activity have been seen in some years, but none are predicted for 2015. The radiant is at RA 06h04m, Dec +39 .
The September Perseids (sometimes referred to as the Epsilon Perseids) peak around the 9th of the month. The shower is properly observable from the UK by 22h UT, and can be watched thereafter all night. A stronger than usual display from this shower was detected in 2013. A Full Moon restricted observations in 2014, but nothing unusual was reported. Prospects are better for 2015, with the 15% illuminated crescent Moon on maximum night being located in Cancer and therefore only rising late in the night.
A chart showing the radiant location is shown below - note that at maximum the radiant lies close to beta Per (Algol) rather than Epsilon Persei.
Later in the month we start to see the start of activity associated with numerous meteoroid trails left behind over the millennia by comet Encke. Indeed, from mid September the IMO lists the Southern Taurid shower, rather than listing the more general Antihelion source in its shower listing.
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