Warning over GPS accuracy

Navigation experts are warning about the possibility of decreased GPS accuracy and possible outages over the next months as the sun enters the most active phase of an 11-year solar cycle. Sunspots and solar flares increase ionising solar radiation, creating more free electrons in the ionosphere. Sudden variations in the density of the ionosphere can cause GPS signals to scintillate and produce delays in signal propagation. The effect is predicted to increase from this month and is likely to last until next year. – Yachting World, read on