The astronomical event Perseids 2001 represented the nineth yearly national camp dedicated to astronomy and observations since its first edition in 1993 in Romania. Organized by SARM (The Romanian Society for Meteors and Astronomy), it has continued to be a guide to promote the astronomy through the young observers of meteors, deep sky objects, comets, planets, asteroids, the Sun.

Perseids 2001 contained two modules, gathering in total about 70 participants: the Corbasca camp (Moldavia, North-Eastern Romania), organized in the country side between 21-30 July 2001 by Dan Mitrut (SARM's vice-president), and the Piatra Arsa camp (Bucegi mountains, 1950m alt), organized between 9-17 August by Valentin Grigore (SARM's president and founder).

The following observational results at Perseids 2001 were presented by seven SARM members as the Romanian contribution to the International Meteor Conference (IMC 2001) in Cerkno, Slovenia, Sep 20-23, 2001: the papers "Romanian Observational Campaign on Summer Meteor Showers in 2001" (link here) and "New Radiants in Cygnus", and the artistic stand titled "Meteor Art".

Here is another IMO report on Perseids as seen by Alex Conu at Piatra Arsa.

Beside the night observations, the projects included daily classes and workshops and lectures in general astronomy, photography, observations, etc, the 5th edition of the astronomical contest with prizes, and of course many trips to great country side and gorgeous mountain regions.

The workshop, papers, talks
Professor Mihai Tetileanu from Hateg,
taking about his Total Solar Eclipse adventure in Angola June 21, 2001
Classes on the green grass | Under the umbra, the workshop

The following summer courses were been held by SARM lecturers at Perseids 2001 at Corbasca (this is a record for Perseids camps):

Initiation in Astronomy (Valentin Grigore and Dan Mitrut);

Meteors (Valentin Grigore and Dan Mitrut);

Variable Stars (Alexandru Conu);

Using Astronomical Instruments (Adrian Sima);

Astronomical Photography (Dan Mitrut);

Deep Sky Objects, a Practical Training (Emil Neata);

Meteorology (Dan Mitrut).

Ionut Ilesoi, co-organizer of the astronomical contest
Adi Sima, co-organizer of the contest (the Instruments section)
The official prize award moment!
The 1st place prize award, Cristina Tinta
The 4rd place prize award, Eliza Trandafir

Alex Conu and others organized the fifth edition of the Perseids Youth Astronomy Contest with prizes sponsored by the friends of SARM, Alin Tolea (US) and Dr. Mirel Birlan (France). The following students won the contest this year:

First Place: Cristina Tinta Vass

Second Place: Emil Neata

Third Place: Galan George

Fourth Place: Trandafir Eliza

Another unexpected good news at Perseids 2001 was three students devoted to become professional astronomers!

Since 1993, one of the most important observing site of SARM has been Bucegi mountain plateau at 2000m alt in the gorgeous Romanian Carpatian Mountains, about 200 km North of Bucharest. There, the transparency of the sky is extreme, reaching about 6.5 and sometime 7 mag, visible with the naked eye! The second part of the Perseids 2001 has been organized by SARM at Piatra Arsa (the Burned Rock) challet in a mountain region surrounded by jnepeni, a rare preserved alpine conifere. Evidently, beside the night observations, there are many breathtaking trails to be hiked!

The Bucegi mountain plateau at 2000m alt! Piatra Arsa challet, SARM's alpine observing site since 1993
Perseids 2001 observers at Piatra Arsa SARM meeting at Perseids 2001, 11 Aug 2001 Stefan, Raul, Ema, Eliza, Ionut and Emil Other participants | Other observers
Piciorul Pietrei Arse Busteni spa view from 1900m alt A mountain flower | And a butterfly Cascada Urlatoarea (The Roaring Falls) Valea Horoabei (Horoabei Valley) The Cross (Crucea), a 70 yrs old memorial at 2100m! The trip to Omu and Costila peak Coltii Morarului (The Miller's Crags) The way to Omu (the Man) Peak In the Clouds!
Valentin Grigore, SARM's president and founder Group foto Perseids 2001 Camp at Piatra Arsa Perseids 2001, another Frame of the Sky...