Jupiter and the Perseids in 2028
The Perseid meteor shower, which lights up the night sky each mid‑August, originates from dust grains shed by comet 109P/Swift‑Tuttle. As Earth passes through this stream, the particles burn up in the atmosphere, creating the familiar shooting stars.
Scientists have long studied how the gravity of massive planets can alter such dust streams. Jupiter’s strong pull is capable of clumping or dispersing portions of the stream, potentially leading to localized enhancements in meteor activity.
Calculations for 2028 indicate that Jupiter could steer the Perseid stream so that the particle density increases when the stream reaches its peak. This might result in a more pronounced meteor outburst, with more meteors per hour visible than in an average year.
Because the predictions rely on modelling, the exact intensity will depend on fine details of the stream’s structure and Jupiter’s precise location at the time of maximum. Observation campaigns are planned to record the event and refine the models further.