THE DISAPPEARING SATELLITES. No. 2

LOSS OF GPS IN TROPICAL AREAS. There have been a number of reports of the loss of GPS signals lasting for a number of hours during summer nights in tropical areas. 

The probable explanation for this is ionospheric plasma bubbles formed after sunset during a period that runs from October to March. They are most frequent between November to January, most likely to occur between 9.30pm and 2.00am.

They related to solar activity, which means that GPS blackout is peaked in 2000-2001.

A paper by Dr Sobral on this topic can be found published by The International Marine Contractors Association. Details from imca@imca-int.com and on the IMCA website: http://www.imca-int.com

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