OBSERVATIONS

Several observational methods were used. Nine observers covered meteor activity with visual observations. Photographic, including all-sky, and video observations were also employed.
Nine observers covered nine nights with the observations around the maximum of the Perseids. In 113.3 hours of observations 4478 meteors were recorded with 3234 of them being Perseids (see Table below). Other showers were also seen: 45 Alpha Capricornids, 82 Kappa Cygnids, 11 Northern Delta Aquarids, 9 Northern Iota Aquarids, and 170 unresolved Aquarids.

Table: Visual observer's statistics for the 2004 Perseids.

Observer	IMO code	Teff [h]	Total	Spor	PER	Other
Javor Kac	KACJA	30.82	1029	244	705	80
Mitja Govedic	GOVMI	27.75	743	179	467	97
Jaka Dobaj	DOBJA	22.89	862	209	596	57
Jure Atanackov	ATAJU	10.33	847	137	682	28
Janez Kos	KOSJN	6.46	348	39	277	32
Marusa Kuk	KUKMA	5.96	205	48	157
Gregor Kladnik	KLAGR	4.49	257	34	200	23
Dunja Fabjan	FABDU	2.50	52	20	32
Aleksandra Brglez	BRGAL	2.11	135	17	118
	totals	113.31	4478	927	3234	317

ANALYSIS

Population index of the Perseids
The population index r was calculated for six one-hour intervals in the night 2004 August 11/12 (Figure 1). A higher value of r = 2.20 +/- 0.09 can be seen early in the evening. A minimum of r = 1.87 +/- 0.08 was reached at about 22^h30^m UT. After that the population index slowly rises again to reach r = 2.14 +/- 0.07 in the last hour before dawn.

Figure 1: Population index profile on the maximum night, calculated from MBK Team observations.

Activity profile of the 2004 Perseids
Activity for the maximum night was calculated using population indices shown in Figure 1. The detailed Perseid activity profile is shown in Figure 2. The activity was highest at the beginning of the night with a maximum value of ZHR = 152 +/- 7 at 20^h15^m UT. The average radiant height during this period was only 24°. The Perseid activity then declines to a local minimum of ZHR = 94 +/- 5 at 22^h15^m UT. This coincides with a minimum of the population index. We checked if a maximum of the population index defines the local minimum in ZHR. We found that if the population index of 2.1 was used throughout the night the shape of the profile was not changed much. After the local minimum the ZHR slowly rises to reach 140 +/- 8 in the last period before dawn.

Figure 2: Details of the ZHR profile on the maximum night, calculated from MBK Team observations using population index from Figure 1.

The activity profile for the whole observation period is shown in Figure 3. The Perseid ZHR was only 14 +/- 2 on August 9/10. Next night it rose to 39 +/- 2 Perseids per hour. The average ZHR on the maximum night was 120 +/- 3. The night of August 12/13 was only partially clear early in the evening so only a couple of hours of observations were possible. The calculated ZHR for this evening was 106 +/- 13 with a radiant at only 30° above horizon. The following nights of the YARC 2004 saw a gradual decline in Perseid activity from 30 +/- 7 on August 14/15 to 7 +/- 1 on August 18/19.

Figure 3: ZHR profile of the 2004 Perseids from MBK Team observations. Population index used was r=2.1 except for the maximum night when population index from Figure 1 was used. Only two observers observed around l_¤=140.5° and only one around l_¤=142.5°, therefore large error bars.

Photographic observation results
A number of bright Perseids and other meteors were caught on photos. The highlight of the Camp was a fireball of at least -6^th magnitude that was recorded on August 16, 2004 at 22^h12^m30^s UT and was also caught on our all-sky camera.

Figure 4: A -7^th magnitude meteor in Pisces/Cetus was caught by MBK Team's all-sky camera on August 16, 2004 at 22^h12^m30^s UT. Exposure from 22^h11^m48^s to 22^h21^m36^s UT. Photo by Javor Kac.

Radiant positions
Radiant position for the maximum night (shifted to l_¤ = 140.0°) was calculated using 148 meteors and is located at a = 48.2° and d = 57.9°. This is in good agreement with the data given by the IMO that gives the expected radiant position at a = 46° and d = 59°.

Figure 5: Perseid radiant position for August 11/12, 2004.