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Curiosity is loaded with sensors, these can be used to draw conclusions they weren't designed for. Here's an admittedly absurd example: if Curiosity's cameras r
by rm999 14y ago
Curiosity is loaded with sensors, these can be used to draw conclusions they weren't designed for. Here's an admittedly absurd example: if Curiosity's cameras recorded a Martian puppy running around it, scientists would almost certainly consider that conclusive evidence for life.
- 46Bit 14y agoHardly. Obvious camera artefacts caused by radiation.
- barkingcat 14y agoWhat if the Martian puppy started licking Curiosity and started to reprogram the cameras and antennas to communicate with us like an interplanetary telephone system? That would be a pretty conclusive proof of live even though Curiosity wasn't designed to work in that way.
- 46Bit 14y agoThat's not intelligence, it's instinct!
- seanmcdirmid 14y agoIt would be evidence but not conclusive evidence. In this case, we might think it was some sort of horrible prank played by a disgruntled scientist who hacked the instruments. But it might be enough for a second mission designed to conclusively verify the existence of life.