Unlike SETI@home, which only requires users to install the program and let their computers do the work, Stardust@home relies on users' dedication and competence. It is the users themselves, not the computer, which will identify suspected particles. And since it is hard for Westphal and his team to evaluate the competence of each individual user, they will rely on majority opinion to decide whether a particular location deserves a second look: each movie will be sent out to four users, and only if at least two of them report a detection will it be considered a candidate. In that case, it will be sent out again to several more users, who will not know that it has already been flagged by others. If a majority of users in this "second round" also report detections, then professional scientists will observe the location to determine whether is does indeed contain an interstellar dust particle.
发表于 2006-1-16 19:36:52
发表于 2006-1-16 22:40:48
