
The device does this by comparing how long it takes signals from different satellites to reach it. Global positioning system: Best known by its acronym GPS, this system uses a device to calculate the position of individuals or things (in terms of latitude, longitude and elevation - or altitude) from any place on the ground or in the air. Other times, an array can refer to things that are laid out or displayed in a way that can make a broad range of related things, such as colors, visible at once. The term can even apply to a range of options or choices. Sometimes they are instruments placed in a systematic fashion to collect information in a coordinated way.
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Scientists use tags with GPS receivers on them to help track wild animals as they go about their lives.Ĭheck out the full list of Scientists Say.Īrray: A broad and organized group of objects. They can be blocked by mountains or buildings.

But they won’t help you if you’re inside a building. People put GPS receivers on anything they want to find if it gets lost, or to help them travel to a new place. Lots of things now have GPS receivers inside, including smartphones, cars and even dog collars. They can also change a satellite’s position around the Earth. These stations track each satellite’s location in space and the health of its batteries. The system relies on stations on Earth to communicate with the satellites.

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Then, the map can use the location information to calculate how to get from that spot to wherever a person wants to go. Once the GPS receiver knows its own position it can place that location on a map.

It then calculates its position from that information. Any device with a GPS receiver - such as a smartphone - can receive these signals.Ī GPS receiver measures how long it takes for signals from different satellites to hit it. These satellites send out regular signals that can be detected on Earth. Air Force and uses a network of more than 30 satellites that orbit the planet. GPS can also calculate where something is and how fast it’s moving. This is a system that can track location by using satellites in space and receivers on Earth. Global Positioning System, or GPS (noun, “GLOW-ball Poh-ZIH-shun-ing SIS-tem”)
