Filament and dust trail encounters and the mean Perseid maximum 2000-2007

The Perseid returns in the period 2000-2007 are analysed using global visual data collected by the IMO. We present profiles of the population index r and the ZHR for the near-maximum period 1385-1415 for each return. The average maximum occurs at solar longitude 140.11+-0.1 deg with a ZHR of 81+-8. An additional peak was observed in 2002 at 139.82+-0.02 deg. The strong but short-lived peak at solar longitude 139.450+-0.010 deg in 2004 is associated with the encounter of the 4-revolution dust trail of 109P/Swift-Tuttle. This trail can also be detected in 2005 and may be in the 2007 data about 015 before the predicted location. The 2007 Perseid data also show the encounter with meteoroids in orbits resonant with Jupiter.