To navigate, you must know roughly where you stand relative to your designation, so you can head in the right direction. In locations where landmarks are not available to help navigate (in deserts, on seas), objects in the sky are the...

The Sun is the ultimate source of the energy that powers weather systems on Earth. Geomagnetic storms are sun-powered storms in the upper atmosphere, arising from energized particles that are periodically ejected by the Sun. Among other...

In this activity students will learn the basic concept of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) using triangulation and measurement on a small scale in the classroom. Students discover how GPS and navigation integrate mathematic and...

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

The physics associated with global positioning satellites is discussed. The mechanism by which they triangulate the location of an object is described.

This unit teaches students how and why engineers design satellites to benefit life on Earth as well as allows students an opportunity to explore motion, rockets and rocket motion. Students discover that the motion of all objects...

This slideshow explains how satellites are used to measure the movement of tectonic plates.

Explore navigation methods by sea, air, and space, what latitude and longitude mean, how GPS works, about satellite navigation, and learn about professional navigators. Includes a timeline of developments in navigation from 1280 to the...

This resource looks at how geologists are able to measure the movement of tectonic plates using satellite-based data and how they were able to surmise in the past that the plates were moving. It also discusses how to read GPS time-series...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about adding two vectors together by components in the context of a GPS-style city map. Adjust magnitude and angles in the two vectors to simulate the driverless car. Examples taking this concept...

A topographic map can be challenging to read. This guide explains how to decipher one and how to use a magnetic compass to orient yourself to the landscape. It also explains how to use GPS coordinates.

GPS location apps on a smartphone can be very handy when mapping a travel route or finding nearby events. But how does your smartphone know where you are? Wilton L. Virgo explains how the answer lies 12,000 miles over your head, in an...

College-level planetary science course highlighting modern navigation. Course introduces the concepts and applications of navigation techniques using celestial bodies and satellite positioning systems (GPS). Course features include...

Students familiarize themselves - through trial and error - with the basics of GPS receiver operation. They view a receiver's satellite visibility screen as they walk in various directions and monitor their progress on the receiver's...

United States Naval Observatory is a unique observatory run by the Navy. It does some of the grunt work of astronomy -- keeping accurate time, determining positions of stars (astrometry), etc. They are responsible for publishing the...

Gives a basic 'course' in how GPS works.

Students learn about GIS technology for solving problems and learn how employers seek workers who know how to make good decisions in a complex world.

How did early maps show the mapmakers' perception of the known world? Early mapmakers used maps drawn from coastal explorations, land travels, and even information heard word of mouth from American Indians or from colonists or traders....

Where are you and where are you going? Visit this site and learn the discovery and purpose of GPS, Global Position Systems.

This page offers answers to frequently asked questions regarding GPS.