Editing Talk:2098: Magnetic Pole

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It does seem odd that GPS wouldn't be calibrated against fixed ground positions. [[User:Baldrickk|Baldrickk]] ([[User talk:Baldrickk|talk]]) 22:06, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
 
It does seem odd that GPS wouldn't be calibrated against fixed ground positions. [[User:Baldrickk|Baldrickk]] ([[User talk:Baldrickk|talk]]) 22:06, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
  
I expect we'll be fine, but don't a lot of migratory critters use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation over very long distances? I mean, it's not as though they check a calendar and say, "Oh, hey, winter's coming, I guess I'd better head North." They just go in the direction they are 'programmed' to go when they start to feel the urge to do so. So... If the poles reverse (or whatever else) aren't they going to go the wrong direction? There are lots of other species that rely on those migratory species for their lunch. Yeah, I can imagine that there could be a lot of problems. Assuming, of course, that what I read about migratory species using the magnetic field of the Earth for navigation is true.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.79.143|162.158.79.143]] 02:39, 15 January 2019 (UTC)
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I expect we'll be fine, but don't a lot of migratory critters use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation over very long distances? I mean, it's not as though they check a calendar and say, "Oh, hey, winter's coming, I guess I'd better head North." They just go in the direction they are 'programmed' to go when they start to feel the urge to do so. So... If the poles reverse (or whatever else) aren't they going to go the wrong direction? There are lots of other species that rely on those migratory species for their lunch. Yeah, I can imagine that there could be a lot of problems. Assuming, of course, that what I read about migratory species using the magnetic field of the Earth for navigation is true.
  
 
I don't believe any "location systems" depend on magnetic field for their accuracy, other than a magnetic compass.  As noted above, GPS is calculated numerically from signals received from satellites, so the only effect the magnetic field could have on that is if it somehow disrupts the broadcast of the satellite radio signals.  Similarly, LORAN calculates location based on radio signal, from towers on land.  There are others as well, and I'm pretty sure none that depend on the location of the magnetic pole.  GPS in general is not calibrated to fixed ground positions, but there are enhancements to GPS that do.  But those still use radio broadcasts from towers whose locations are known, and don't need to take into account the location of magnetic north.
 
I don't believe any "location systems" depend on magnetic field for their accuracy, other than a magnetic compass.  As noted above, GPS is calculated numerically from signals received from satellites, so the only effect the magnetic field could have on that is if it somehow disrupts the broadcast of the satellite radio signals.  Similarly, LORAN calculates location based on radio signal, from towers on land.  There are others as well, and I'm pretty sure none that depend on the location of the magnetic pole.  GPS in general is not calibrated to fixed ground positions, but there are enhancements to GPS that do.  But those still use radio broadcasts from towers whose locations are known, and don't need to take into account the location of magnetic north.

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