Maps could come back into vogue again as the sun is set to go into a period of activity, which could wreak havoc with sat nav systems.


The sun is due a ‘solar maximum’ which could generate sat nav errors. Researchers have only recently discovered that the signals beamed down from satellites orbiting the earth are actually very weak and are also sensitive to the activity on the sun. 

Radiation generated by this activity on the sun can mean sat nav receivers are unable to pick up signals – and for us on earth this means you could end up with a blank screen and no idea where you are. And it’s not just drivers who use sat nav – aeroplanes and ships rely on it for route direction too.

Scientists believe that sat nav receivers will be blinded for tens of minutes, probably a few times a year at the solar maximum.


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Picture kindly from here