FAQs for the All India Asteroid Search Campaign -
Notice:
Phase I results have been announced.
For Phase II we will not be seeking any new entries. Phase II results will be announced shortly (around 20th May).
We have received the mail, now what should we do to get ourselves registered for the event?
Send us a write up of max. 500 words about what your school has done in the field of astronomy in International year of Astronomy IYA2009. It should be accompanied by supporting images/media cuttings if there are any. Principal should endorse the write up. It should also contain names of nominated students and the teacher. Last date is 24th April.
How many students and teacher can take part?
5 students and one teacher can take part.
What is the last date for sending nominations?
28th April, 2010
What is the criteria for selection?
Work done by school in field of astronomy and astronomy outreach in year 2009 will be taken as the criteria.
Is there any fee for the All india asteroid search Campaign?
No, there is no fee for All india asteroid search campaign.
Who can attend the workshop?
Teachers and individuals (who got nominated and selected) will attend the workshop. Teachers will then train their respective group of students in the school.
The school wants a separate workshop for their selected students. Is it possible?
Yes, SPACE can organize the workshop at the school for the group but it will be a paid workshop. SPACE will charge Rs 2500 for the workshop which excludes the conveyance which will have to be provided for the faculty.
Conveyance for delhi and NCR area would be a car and for outstation it will be 2nd AC railway
How long would be the workshop? What will be covered in workshop?
It is a 4 hour orientation workshop where you will be trained to use the software for looking for the asteroids.
What are asteroids?
How these asteroids are discovered? Historically and the present scenario
Methods to discover the asteroids.
What is Asteroid hunt campaign?
How one can be part of it?
How to use the “Astrometrica” Software
Demonstration of the software with sample data analysis
Distribution of the kit for Asteroid Hunt.
Is there any fee for the workshop?
Yes there is a fee for the workshop. Its Rs. 500 per participant. The fee includes support material and Lunch.
Will SPACE provide accommodation and transport support to participants from outstation?
No, SPACE will not bear any cost of lodging, boarding or transport for outstation participants.
What all is needed for doing the campaign?
A desktop/laptop computer with fast processer and a broadband internet connection.
Can it be done at home?
Yes, if you have broadband connection and a good desktop/laptop, you can do the campaign at home.
How much time I have to devote to this campaign?
As the campaign is 45 days long you can devote time to this campaign by prior planning.
Will I get a certificate of participation for this Campaign?
Yes, you will and it will be given to you after you complete your campaign and send us the reports as per the procedure given to you during the workshop.
Can I join this campaign on my own without being part of your project?
You can but no training/workshop will be provided to you by the asteroid hunt campaign. You in turn will be directed to us by them as we are taking care of the campaign in india.
I do not have internet connection and a computer and my schools are closed during the campaign, what should I do?
That’s why 5 students and one teacher make a team, out of these 6 at least one should have the requisite infrastructure and you can share that among yourselves.
Can I work from the SPACE office for the campaign after I get nominated to do the hunt?
Yes, you can but you have to apply separately for this at the end of the workshop.
Is there any difference in Phase 1 and 2?
No, there is no difference, only because of availability of campaign with the USA counterpart, we arrived at these 2 phases to take part in different time slots.
Can a college student or amateur can be part of it?
Yes, but they have to apply for it stating what they have done in IYA2009.
Can astronomica members join the programme?
Yes, they can. If they are a student then they will have to apply as per the school nomination process. If they are not then they have to apply individually.
If a student or a teacher discovers an asteroid, how will it be named?
As per International Astronomical Union (IAU) Naming of Minor Planets is done following a procedure set by them and Committee on Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) does the following:
Provisional Designation
Minor planets are each given a provisional designation when they are discovered and confirmed. These designations are based on the date of discovery and are assigned by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) according to a well defined formula. A general discussion of the system of designations of minor planets is available at the MPC.
Permanent Designation
When the orbit of a minor planet becomes very well determined so that the position can be reliably predicted far into the future (in most cases this means after the minor planet has completed two or even more observed orbital periods), the minor planet receives a permanent number (issued sequentially by the Minor Planet Center) and becomes eligible for naming.
Names
When an asteroid receives a permanent designation, the discoverer of the asteroid is invited to suggest a name for that asteroid. There are extensive guidelines for the choice of names but ultimately the name must be approved by the CSBN. Further details of the procedures for naming minor planets are available at the MPC. The guidelines for the names are described here. A list of minor planet names assigned is prepared each triennium for the General Assembly. The list for GA XXVI in Prague in 2006 is available here. A merged, alphabetic list of all names is available at the Minor Planet Center, as is a list of discovery circumstances.
In simple words the discoverer makes a suggestion -- 16 characters or less.
Please write to us if you have any more questions at aiasc2010@space-india.org.
