On Saturday (tomorrow), at 10AM, the DARPA Network (the United State’s military research organization) is set to release 10 weather balloons, tethered to the ground across the country, offering a prize of $40,000 to the first group to submit the correct longitude and latitude coordinates of these balloons.

They’re not hidden in inconspicuous places, but rather out in the open.  What’s the point?  To test the power of social media.  No-one is expecting you to drive to these places and spot them that way – though you can – rather, look for clues on the web, from twitter to news articles, to everything in between.  Scour the Internet in this scavenger hunt.

Think you can do it?  Go to Network Challenge for more information, and check out this article on Cnn.com.

The contest is on until December 14th (though the balloons are only visible tomorrow), but, my guess is that, with how powerful social media REALLY is, it’ll be over before nightfall.  Just a guess.  Stay tuned for more information.  And hey, if you want to join my “team” – let me know!