(meteorobs) Belated Perseid 2007 Report from Leeds, England.

[Catlin]

Having read many enjoyable accounts of this year's Perseid show from
North America, France and Italy I belatedly send you my amateur tale;
 
Sorry, I forgot to mention Norway - Geir Oye - I must look at your site
shortly, as the Aurora photography that you posted from a couple of
years ago is truly unforgettable.
 
A near moonless night and the prospect of clear skies promised to be one
of the best nights in England for many a year, although my back yard is
only six miles from the city centre of Leeds (pop 800,000) and the
associated problem of severe light pollution, I was not to be
disappointed. At midnight (BST) I placed two benches from the kitchen
together and lay in wait under a large buddleia (butterfly bush) with a
winter coat and two rugs for warmth. Maybe I looked a complete nut, but
I could always scare the inebriated wondering home from the local Inn if
the Perseids were being coy. 
 
In the past I have only observed approximately three to five, reddish,
very fast Perseids per session; all too often the rainy weather in
England spoiling the view. A full moon has also cast unwanted light on
proceedings if by chance the weather had been OK.
 
As I settled down for observation I noticed a large hedgehog at the
bottom of the garden, realizing that if I moved it would trigger the
security light. I showed true courage and didn't flinch an inch for the
next couple of hours. I tried to look mainly in a north-easterly
direction and also glance to the west in an Owl like manner, in order to
see as many as possible. Wooooooooow, a fireball in the first few
seconds. I am not skilled enough to pen the technical details, but the
sensation that one feels when observing a spectacular meteor is uniquely
amazing. 
 
I saw 28 in just over two hours, they seemed to appear from two main
directions, east and north-west (brighter, several fireballs with
persistent trains). 
 
Cold and happy I retired to bed, not wanting to be late for work, 'my
job is very boring I'm an office clerk' (Echo Beach)  ; > )
 
Regards to all, especially the list elves.clear skies and Geminids (13
Dec 07) here we come. 
 
Michael Catlin 
Leeds, Yorkshire,
England.