Rising Solar Activity will disrupt GPS
Date: Wednesday, February 10 @ 12:09:44 UTC
Topic:
 Source: BBS Science & Technology.
The BBC have a worrying, albeit interesting, news item concerning the an increase in solar activity.
Researchers have warned that as the Sun awakens from a period of inactivity a likely side-affect will be wide spread disruption of GPS signals.
The exact effects are not fully known as the last time the Sun exhibited a rise in activity predated the widespread use of GPS.
Solar flares occur frequently and spread radiation across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Satellites are designed to cope with this radiation but the forecast rise in activity is believed likely to result in radiation levels well above planned for levels.
Whilst it is not just GPS that may be affected, the weak signals used by the GPS networks are believed more likely to be affected than others.
The affects may manifest themselves in unreliable positioning or a complete failure to acquire a satellite lock. The peak activity is not expected for a couple of years.
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