Perseids – August 11/12, 2009

I planted myself on the back porch from 12:00 – 12:15 AM (0700-0715 UT AUG 12 2009) to look for some Perseids before heading to bed. I caught 3 in the first ten minutes, racing through Ursa Minor, Hercules and Draco. Nothing spectacular–2nd & 3rd magnitude, blasting westward, lasting about a half second each. I was spoiled by the 2001 Leonids, and so I’m not inclined to stay out late unless I’m hunting something else down in the sky. If I wake up again before dawn, I may roll my carcass outside for another look…but probably not. Hopefully, other more hearty souls will catch some nice ones tonight.