Posted on 09/29/2006 2:38:15 PM PDT by blam
Solar flares will disrupt GPS in 2011
14:29 29 September 2006
NewScientist.com news service
Jeff Hecht
Navigation, power and communications systems that rely on GPS satellite navigation will be disrupted by violent solar activity in 2011, research shows.
A study reveals Global Positioning System receivers to be unexpectedly vulnerable to bursts of radio noise produced by solar flares, created by explosions in the Sun's atmosphere.
When solar activity peaks in 2011 and 2012, it could cause widespread disruption to aircraft navigation and emergency location systems that rely heavily on satellite navigation data.
Particularly intense solar activity occurs roughly every 11 years due to cyclic changes to the Sun's magnetic field – a peak period known as the solar maximum.
Solar flares send charged particles crashing into the outer fringes of the Earth's atmosphere at high velocity, generating auroras and geomagnetic storms.
Radio noise
Charged particles from solar flares also produce intense bursts of radio noise, which peak in the 1.2 and 1.6 gigahertz bands used by GPS. Normally, radio noise in these bands is very low, so receivers can easily pick up weak signals from orbiting satellites.
In 2005, however, Cornell University graduate student Alessandro Cerruti discovered a puzzling failure in GPS reception while operating a receiver at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientisttech.com ...
I'm just hoping for spectacular aurora.
That's what they said last time. I've got a book somewhere called Cycle 93, or something close, that warns us about the last cycle.
Just what the cable company is waiting for, another excuse why my cable is down.
Yes, me too.
I saw some spactacular auuroras all the way down here in NC during the last episode.
So when do they make the announcement that gas prices will go up because of this???
Don't go messing with my gps, it's hard enough sometimes to find caches without this.
This just happens to fit in the mayan calendar ending...LOL
http://survive2012.com/why_2012_maya.php
If this is going to happen in 2011+/- how can it be 'unexpected'? Not that I believe a word of it anyway...
More panic burgers served up to a gullible and hungry public.
Always have a back up.
Good ol maps and charts. Be proficient in your navigation methods in whatever vehicle you use.
As a private pilot, I have many alternatives to GPS. GPS is a nicety, not a necessity for me.
Good news for hamradio HF work!
However, this increased Solar activity will in no way alter the temprature of the Earth.
THAT WILL BE THE DAY THAT THE CHICOMS ATTACK!!!! UNTIL THEN, STOCK UP ON BEANIE WEENIES AND HEAD FOR THE HILLS!!!
They flare up every 11 years I do believe.
Solar flares are a scientific certainty.
One of the largest flares ever recorded occurred last summer. Surely we had GPS back then.
and
When solar activity peaks in 2011 and 2012, it could cause widespread disruption to aircraft navigation and emergency location systems that rely heavily on satellite navigation data.
So which is it - Will disrupt or Could disrupt?
BTTT
I guess I'll just have to stay at home.
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