Arctic probe into solar storm sat-nav disruption

[dipsydoodle]

Scientists in the Arctic have launched an urgent investigation into how solar storms can disrupt sat-nav.

Studies have revealed how space weather can cut the accuracy of GPS by tens of metres.

Flares from the Sun interact with the upper atmosphere and can distort the signals from global positioning satellites.

The research is pressing because rapid warming is attracting more vessels, tourists and mining operators.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19897221

[ann---]

1. What is sat-nav?

[Ptah]

2. Satellite navigation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_navigation

A satellite navigation or SAT NAV system is a system of satellites
that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage.
It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location
(longitude, latitude, and altitude) to within a few metres using time signals
transmitted along a line-of-sight by radio from satellites. Receivers calculate
the precise time as well as position, which can be used as a reference for
scientific experiments. A satellite navigation system with global coverage
may be termed a global navigation satellite system or GNSS.