NASA's Self-Taught Satellite

Vikingod · Oct 28, 2006, 04:12 PM

Source: NASA
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The Indonesian volcano Talang on the island of Sumatra had been dormant for centuries when, in April 2005, it suddenly rumbled to life. A plume of smoke rose 1000 meters high and nearby villages were covered in ash. Fearing a major eruption, local authorities began evacuating 40,000 people. UN officials, meanwhile, issued a call for help: Volcanologists should begin monitoring Talang at once.

Little did they know, high above Earth, a small satellite was already watching the volcano. No one told it to. EO-1 (short for "Earth Observing 1") noticed the warning signs and started monitoring Talang on its own.

Indeed, by the time many volcanologists were reading their emails from the UN, "EO-1 already had data," says Steve Chien, leader of JPL's Artificial Intelligence Group.

**temeteus82** · Oct 28, 2006, 04:43 PM

That's one smart bird up there!

LeanWolf · Oct 28, 2006, 05:20 PM

or one well-programmed bit of tech, it's still just a stupid computer

**temeteus82** · Oct 28, 2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanWolf

or one well-programmed bit of tech, it's still just a stupid computer

Well one day T-1000 will bee knocking your door for that

Oct 28, 2006, 04:12 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	NASA's Self-Taught Satellite Source: NASA ___________ The Indonesian volcano Talang on the island of Sumatra had been dormant for centuries when, in April 2005, it suddenly rumbled to life. A plume of smoke rose 1000 meters high and nearby villages were covered in ash. Fearing a major eruption, local authorities began evacuating 40,000 people. UN officials, meanwhile, issued a call for help: Volcanologists should begin monitoring Talang at once. Little did they know, high above Earth, a small satellite was already watching the volcano. No one told it to. EO-1 (short for "Earth Observing 1") noticed the warning signs and started monitoring Talang on its own. Indeed, by the time many volcanologists were reading their emails from the UN, "EO-1 already had data," says Steve Chien, leader of JPL's Artificial Intelligence Group.

Oct 28, 2006, 05:20 PM	#3
LeanWolf alpha male Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Skyrim Posts: 5,713 Rep Power: 84 System Specs	or one well-programmed bit of tech, it's still just a stupid computer __________________