Earth's atmosphere disrupting GPS signals

Electrically charged particles can interfere with signals from GPS satellites

Scientists have warned that "perplexing" electrical activity in the ionosphere, caused by disruptive clouds of electrons and other electrically charged particles, can interfere with signals from GPS satellites.

A group of scientific reports detailing this phenomenon have been published in a special section of Space Weather.

One team of researchers has observed Earth's aurora, a prominent manifestation of ionospheric electrical activity, in the act of disrupting GPS equipment.

Other scientists have successfully tested a way to forecast GPS disturbances for marine users, with a likely extension to land-based users.

Space Weather reported that other research groups are turning the tables and employing GPS receivers as tools to conduct basic research on the electrical-current structures of the ionosphere.