From: Raewyn Newnham, New Zealand 
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 23:50:36 +1300


I did get up at 3.30am local time NZDST and went to the local observatory
grounds. Over the period of approximately an hour and a half until 5 am I observed
about 20 meteors some long bright trails to the left and right of the
radiant i.e. Northwest and Southeast of the radiant rising low in the north
east. There was also small shorter meteors closer to the radiant.
There was up to 8 observers there as well.  

Conditions were perfect.  Clear sky, little wind, mild tempertatures,
minimal light pollution. I took various photos, no times recorded though 
but hope to have captured some meteors .

There was a group of 50 observers in Auckland as per the television report
who said they observed about 27-29 meteors in the 2 hour period of 3am th
5am.

Also a group near Wellington who also reported similar meteor numbers.
I have not heard of what Canterbury Astronomical Society did at this stage.
Sorry did not have meteor scatter antenna set up in time but have only 4
weeks of school teaching left.  This will be my holiday project to get it up
and going.

Hope you had good views from the aeroplane and all instruments worked well
and you have lots of data to keep you going for a while.
Hope Jack enjoyed his time as Ames and co-ordinating the media coverage.
I'm going to bed now its 11.45pm again already!!!!!!!! When you are a
teacher as you know you just don't get any time !!!!!!!!!