2007-11-09 06:59:28 · 4 answers · asked by babycc_22 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
HOW it's used? It's used to find your position on Earth.
How it works is by "triangulation." If you have two known points, you can describe any other point in two dimensions based on those two points. It has to do with trigonometry. But if you know the distance between the two points,and the angles between the line that joins them and the lines that join each to the "unknown" point, you can tell where that point is in relation to the two known points. But that's only in two dimensions. To locate yourself accurately in three dimensions... like on Earth, you use the same principle, "triangulation," to find the exact location in three dimensions... as long as the third point doesn't lie on the same line as the other two... that is the three points are not "colinear."
2007-11-09 07:13:54 · answer #1 · answered by gugliamo00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the main uses for GPS nowdays is accurate timekeeping. As a clock service, it is accurate to a fraction of a microsecond, which is sufficient for all astronomical needs except for Very Long Baseline interferometry.
2007-11-09 15:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Many ways. They can measure the gradual separation of tectonic plates. The change in altitude of a mountain. The position of a lost sunken ship. Even autopilots now use them.
2007-11-09 15:03:54 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electronic triangulation between the transmitter on the ground and sattelites in space.
2007-11-09 15:03:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋