The SOHO 1000th Comet Contest

Predict the date and time that SOHO 1000th -a comet yet to be discovered- will make its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion).

Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to anyone, anywhere, except those administering the contest.
2. Entries can only be submitted using this form.
3. Entry submission will closeafter the discovey of Comet 960.
4. Entries without a name and valid e-mail address will be discarded.
5. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
6. In the case of the 1000th comet being an archive discovery, then the discoverer is also not eligible, but the closest guess still wins.
7. Guesses will not be publicized until the entry period has closed.

Prizes

Want to know what you will be playing for? 

The first prize will be:

(a) a package of goodies that will include the SolarMax DVD, a SOHO T-shirt, solar viewing glasses, and a selection of SOHO materials

(b) a personal tour of Goddard Space Flight Center for the winner and three of their guests led by one of the Visitor Center staff. (Note: this prize does not include any transportation or lodging costs to and from Greenbelt, MD.)

Second and third place entries will receive a package of goodies that includes a SOHO T-shirt, solar viewing glasses, and a selection of SOHO materials.

Comet Information

SOHO Comet 900 SOHO Comet Observations List of most recent comets. The LASCO Homepage Gallery: Comet Movies and Images Comets, Comets, Comets: Comet Bradfield Two Comets Race for the Sun Comet NEAT Comet Kudo Fujikawa Comet Machholz SOHO Comet 422 Comets Arc Into the Sun

Tips: Possible Strategies

Estimate the number of comets per year and extrapolate. Refine your estimate by looking at the monthly variation in the rate of discoveries. Consider the chance that the discovery will be an archive claim. Guess.

Comet # Discovery Date 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Feb. 4, 2000 Aug. 31, 2000 Mar. 25, 2001 Feb. 26, 2002 Aug. 14, 2002 Apr. 29, 2003 Dec. 2, 2003 Jun. 11, 2004 Jan. 15, 2005

Notes & Disclaimers

1. Determination of the SOHO comet numbers is entirely at the discretion of Karl Battams. He assigns the numbers in order of discovery. These numbers are not an official product of any recognized astronomical body. However, they are a very convenient way to refer to the various comets and to keep track of the total number.
2. Definition of an archive discovery: This is also at the discretion of Karl Battams. If a comet is reported more than 36 hours after it is first visible in the data (and there are no large gaps in the data), then the comet will be designated as an archive claim. In cases of ambiguity, the 36 hour rule will begin at the time when an average observer might be expected to have been able to find the comet.
3. Neither ESA, NASA, or any other institution associated with SOHO is involved with the adjudication of claims or providing the prize. The contest is designed to increase the public's awareness of SOHO's discoveries and demonstrate the ease of accesibility of scientific data sets by the general public.

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