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Phil Creed's Astronomy Bowl!

It's new!  It's exciting!  And it's only at Hidden Hollow 2008!

Astronomy Bowl!  Wanna hear more about it and the rules of the game? 

Well, read on!

Hidden Hollow's Astronomy Bowl is a fast-paced question-and-answer game designed to both enlighten and challenge stargazers.  It is similar to various "quiz bowl" games, with a few, but very important differences.   Teams may consist of up to 3 members.  Individuals may compete, but this is not advisable.
 
If there are more than four teams competing, we will do a short, 15-minute qualifying test and select the top 4 scores.  Tie-breaking questions will be applied, if necessary.
 
Once our four teams have been selected, we will seed them based on test score, so it will be #1 vs. #4, and #2 vs. #3.  The winners of each match will square off in the final.  The winning team will receive $50  OPT Gift Certificates for EACH team member.  Married couples who think they know their star stuff have an extra incentive--a win brings in $100 in free astro-gear!
 
Astronomy Bowl follows the traditional format of alternating toss-up and bonus questions, with a few tweaks.  Rules for each are below:
 
TOSS-UPS:
1.   The host will read a toss-up question.  Anyone can answer a toss-up, but that person cannot receive any help from teammates.  Unlike "Jeopardy", a toss-up may be answered the *very nanosecond* a contestant thinks he/she knows the answer.  The host will stop reading the question once someone buzzes in. Please wait to be recognized before answering, but answer *promptly*.  A pause of no more than 3 seconds is permissible.
 
2.  If the answer is correct, the team earns 10 points, and that team--and only that team--is eligible for a bonus question.
 
3.  If the answer for a toss-up is incorrect and the host isn't finished reading the question, 5 points are *deducted*.  No one else from that team may answer, and the moderator resumes reading the question solely for the other team.  Individual members of the other team *must still buzz in* and be recognized before answering, but there is no 5-point
penalty for incorrect responses.

4.  Failure to wait for recognition will count as an incorrect response.
 
5.  If the host has finished reading the entire toss-up, there is no penalty for a wrong answer, but no else on that team may answer.
 
BONUSES:
1.   Once a toss-up is correctly answered, that team is given a bonus question.  No one has to ring in, but a clear, concise answer is needed.  The other team can scribble out answers as a good mental  exercise, but any answers they blurt out will not only not count, but will only help the other team's cause.
 
2.    The amount of seconds permitted for discussion before answering will equal how many points each portion of the bonus is worth.  If a 30-point bonus consists of three 10-point sections, about 10 seconds will be allotted before the team is prompted for an answer.
 
3.   No penalties are ever applied for bonus questions.
 
4.   Once the bonus question is complete, the moderator will read the next toss-up, and both teams are in play once again.

5.  ALL Astronomy Bowl bonuses are a possible 30 points.

MISCELLANEOUS:
1.   The host will read 20 toss-ups, and any resulting bonuses from correct answers.  Once this is done, the game is over.  The game is NOT timed.  If only 14 toss-ups are answered correctly, that means 20 toss-ups and 14 bonus questions will be read.  Any unused bonus questions will be just that--unused.
 
2.  Answers should be concise and prompt, and the first answer is accepted.  Saying several possibilities in the hope of nailing the right one isn't allowed!
 
3.  Some responses may be deemed incomplete.  For instance, if the host is looking for "Mariner 9" and the response is "Mariner", the moderator will prompt the contestant to be more specific--and the contestant must have the right answer in order for it to be considered correct.

4.  Unless otherwise prompted, last names are sufficient for people.
 

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