Google specialists have made a groundbreaking discovery by studying the Earth’s ionosphere using the GPS antennas of ordinary phones. The study, known as Magnes, utilized the data of 40 million android users who agreed to participate in the project.
Published in the journal Nature, the study opens up new possibilities for understanding space weather. The ionosphere, located between 50 to 1500 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, is where solar radiation transforms gases into clouds of charged particles that lose electrons.
The quality of radio communications on Earth is directly impacted by the state of the ionosphere. Electrically charged particles impact radio wave transmission, allowing signals to travel over long distances. Fluctuations in solar activity can alter the density and chemical composition of the ionosphere.
One of the main challenges faced by navigation systems is the ability of the ionosphere to delay radio signals from satellites. GPS relies on nanosecond accuracy for determining coordinates, so any delays can significantly affect the results. Without adjustments for atmospheric conditions, errors in calculations could reach up to five meters.
Previously, ionosphere maps were created using a network of ground stations that tracked how signals of different frequencies from satellites passed through the atmosphere. Low-frequency waves experience greater delays compared to high-frequency waves, allowing the density of charged particles to be calculated along the signal path.
Google engineers discovered that modern smartphones can also receive signals at multiple frequencies. While individual device data may contain interference, combining readings from millions of smartphones provides a clear picture for analysis.
The data collected has already led to significant findings, including the discovery of previously unknown plasma accumulations over parts of South America. This method is especially valuable in regions where stationary observation stations are limited.
The information gathered will help enhance predictions of space weather with increased accuracy. Ultimately, this advancement will aid in improving satellite navigation systems and furthering scientists’ understanding of ionospheric processes across different regions of the world.