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Solar Bursts May Threaten GPS


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Posted

all i know is that solar activity has disrupted our commercial grade gps a time or two. and not just a little blurb...i mean a major disruption. to the point we were questioning our ability to push buttons. so i dunno, i guess it's possible that our satellites could be terminally affected by solar winds / flares. guess we'll see, huh?

Posted

Just ran across this article, what impact, if any, do you think we will see in the next 4 years :lol:

 

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8...;show_article=1

What they failed to mention in that article is that the "flare" in December was among the top 10 most intense seen in the 40+ years we have been recording and watching. It lasted a relitively few hours and in the grander scheme of things - just didn't last all that long. As I recall, I even had a few finds that day.

Posted

Is it causing global warming?

 

I hope so!

 

As for the increase in sunspots and such, I can't wait! Of course, it may just mean that I spend more time on the ham radio than geocaching... :laughing:

 

Ken

Posted

Solar flares do more than just cause problems with the GPS satellites and receivers. I think if a flare comes along that knocks out GPS you are going to have other things knocked out too. And those are probably more immediately irritating to lose, like the power grid itself. Although the flare in December was the strongest yet recorded, electronic and electrical systems on earth have been enduring periodic outages and other problems from solar acticity for as long as we have been using those systems. And we have had many sever solar storms.

 

Personally I don't worry about it.

 

VKsnr

Posted

From the bottom of the article:

Most of the WAAS ground stations were able to maintain contact with enough satellites to continue working, though their accuracy was somewhat affected, she said.

 

The stations have to maintain contact with at least four satellites to work, but usually monitor at least 10 to increase their accuracy, she said. Most were able to meet the minimum, she said.

 

Looks like if you are using WAAS you won't have any problems. Otherwise I'd keep my eye on my EPE or Geocache only at night.

Posted

Looks like if you are using WAAS you won't have any problems. Otherwise I'd keep my eye on my EPE or Geocache only at night.

 

Doesn't help us in Europe, until EGNOS is up and running.

 

As far as day versus night, I think the electromagnetic disturbance would still affect satellites unless they were entirely shielded by the Earth...but we're getting way beyond the scope of my knowledge of how all these things work.

Posted

My Momma always told me not to look at the Sun.

My daddy always told me, "Boy, Don't get smart", so I never did. Been dumber than a bag of hammers for decades. :laughing:

 

We're all gonna die.

I plan to live forever. It's working so far... :laughing:

Posted

I went out looking for a cache once when they said there was significant solar flares, and I can tell you that it screwed me over. couldn't get more than 400 foot accuracy. had to give up for the day.

Posted

Is it causing global warming?

Na, it's caused by global warming and it's Bush's fault! :anicute:

 

WHEW!!, That's a relief, I thought it was MY fault. :)

 

Wait a minute... I thought you were Bush?

Posted

Is it causing global warming?

Na, it's caused by global warming and it's Bush's fault! :)

 

WHEW!!, That's a relief, I thought it was MY fault. :)

 

Wait a minute... I thought you were Bush?

 

Nope! I am.

Posted

Ah ha!

Think maybe I found the reason for my GPS's directional arrow to occassionally start spinning around 360 degrees. (or it could be the batteries)

 

No the media failled to mention that when this occures the axis of the planet has changed and the speed at which we rotate has tripled. :blink::o:o;)

Posted

The newer generation GPS sats have a stronger signal and increased shielding to deal with this. Increased drag may be their biggest problem.

But look on the bright side. Here is the benefits of solar bursts:

aurora1_wikipedia.jpg

Posted (edited)

 

As for the increase in sunspots and such, I can't wait! Of course, it may just mean that I spend more time on the ham radio than geocaching... :anitongue:

 

Ken

 

Amen Brother!

Edited by hikergps

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