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Tracking Geomagnetic Storms in the Ionosphere

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Abstract

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 effects, geomagnetic storms can wreak havoc with earth-orbiting satellites, and disrupt satellite communications. The global positioning system (GPS) is a network of 24 earth-orbiting satellites that constantly sends radio signals through the earth's atmosphere. GPS receivers use these signals to determine their position on Earth. Can you use errors in GPS signals to identify geomagnetic storm activity?

Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Very Long (1+ months)
Prerequisites
You will need access to a WAAS-capable GPS receiver for this project. You will need to understand how to operate the GPS receiver. Note that WAAS signals are only available in North America.
Material Availability
You will need a WAAS-capable GPS receiver to do this project. Note that WAAS signals are only available in North America.
Cost
High ($100 - $150)
Safety
No issues
Credits

Andrew Olson, PhD, Science Buddies

Edited by Sandra Slutz, PhD, Science Buddies

Sources

This project is based on:

Objective

The goal of this science fair project is to test whether errors in GPS (global positioning system) signals are correlated with geomagnetic storm activity in the ionosphere.

Introduction

Before You Start: The sun has periods of increased, solar maximum, and decreased, solar minimum, sunspot activity. This 11-year cycle has effects on many types of space weather. Before starting this experiment you should read a bit about the sunspot cycle and determine where we currently are in the cycle. You can do this project anytime during the solar cycle, but the frequency and intensity of space weather will be highest during the solar maximum.

A GPS (global positioning system) receiver works by monitoring radio-frequency (RF) signals from Earth-orbiting satellites. There are 24 of these satellites orbiting the globe, with control stations on the ground. The position in space of each of the satellites is known at all times. By measuring the relative time delays between signals from the different satellites, the GPS receiver can calculate its position on earth. If the receiver can lock onto signals from three of the satellites, it can determine its position in two dimensions (latitude and longitude). If the receiver can lock onto signals from four of the satellites, it can determine its position in all three dimensions (latitude, longitude, and altitude). One place you can read more details about how the system works is in the "GPS Guide for Beginners" (Garmin, Ltd., 2000).

When the GPS receiver determines its position, there are many possible sources for error, including:

The first source of error, ionosphere and troposphere delays, is affected by the level of geomagnetic storm activity. Check out the Space Environment Center links in the Bibliography section to learn more about what causes geomagnetic storms, and to see how these storms are monitored and reported.

Many GPS receivers sold in North America are "WAAS-enabled," meaning that they take advantage of a second set of signals (the Wide Area Augmentation System, or WAAS) to calculate their position more accurately. "WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift, plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal" (Garmin, 2006b).

The WAAS correction feature of the GPS receiver can be turned on or off, allowing you to see the calculated position with or without the WAAS correction. In this science fair project, you will take regular position readings with a GPS receiver using both the uncorrected mode (WAAS off) and the corrected mode (WAAS on). You will keep track of the difference between the two readings—we will refer to this difference as the error signal. How will the error signal vary over time? Will there be a strong correlation between high-error values and ionospheric storms? You'll find out by comparing your readings to daily space weather reports. You'll see if you can use the error signal to identify times when there is increased geomagnetic storm activity.

Terms and Concepts

To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:

Space Weather Terms:

GPS-related Terms:

Questions

Bibliography

  • The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is the part of the National Weather Service that is responsible for monitoring and forecasting space weather. The SWPC website has many resources that will be helpful for this project:
    • For an introduction to space weather, see:
      Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). Space Weather Phenomena. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
    • For information on how space weather affects GPS systems, see:
      Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). Space Weather and GPS Systems. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
    • For a glossary of space weather terms, see:
      Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). Space Weather Glossary. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
    • For information on NOAA space weather scales, see:
      Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). NOAA Space Weather Scales. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
    • For current space weather, see:
      Space Weather Prediction Center (n.d.). Space Weather Enthusiasts Dashboard. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  • Web page from a manufacturer of GPS receivers with information about how the GPS works:
    • Garmin, Ltd. (2006). What is GPS?. Retrieved January 19, 2015.

Materials and Equipment

Experimental Procedure

  1. For at least three weeks, collect baseline data with your GPS receiver, twice each day at the same time of day, and in the same location in your house or yard. Record all of the following collected information in your lab notebook.
    1. First consult your GPS manual and learn how to turn the WAAS correction on and off.
    2. Pick a position in your home or yard where you can safely stand twice a day for at least three weeks.
    3. Turn your GPS on, with the WAAS on. Now record the location data (latitude, longitude, altitude) in your lab notebook. Note: If you don't know how to obtain these readings from your GPS, look it up in the manual that comes with the GPS.
    4. Immediately after taking those readings, turn off the WAAS on your GPS and measure the location data again, recording the data in your lab notebook.
    5. After you've collected all your data at each reading, you'll need to calculate the error signal. The difference between each pair of readings is the error signal. For example, the difference between the altitude reading from the morning of day 1 with the WAAS ON and the altitude reading from the morning of day 1 with the WAAS OFF is the altitude error signal for day 1. Calculate the error signals for each type of measurement (altitude, longitude, and latitude) every time you take measurements and always record the data in your lab notebook.
  2. Right after each reading, go to the Space Environment Center website and record the value of the planetary K-index (Kp) at the time of your measurement. Remember that the planetary K-index is an indicator of geomagnetic storms.
    1. At the top right corner of the page, this website will tell you if there are currently any geomagnetic storms. (Look for the green box with the "G" in it). Record whether there are or not in your lab notebook.
    2. If a geomagnetic storm is happening right now (meaning right after the time you took your reading, hence the importance to get online immediately after each reading), the website will list the "scale" of the storm, which indicates how the storm might affect power systems, spacecraft operations, and other systems. The scale goes from G1 to G5 with G5 being the strongest.
    3. Record the Kp value in your lab notebook.
  3. Repeat the GPS readings and NOAA website checking procedure (steps 1-2) every day for at least 3 weeks—longer is better if you have enough time between now and when your project is due.
  4. Make a graph to see if there is any correlation between GPS error signal and geomagnetic storm activity. Your graph should have Kp Index on the y-axis and GPS Error Signal on the x-axis. Each of your observations will produce one data point on the graph. Make separate graphs for the error signals for each measurement (latitude, longitude, and altitude).
  5. Is there a correlation between the magnitude of the error and the Kp index?
    • How reliable is the error signal as an indicator of geomagnetic storm activity? In other words, are your measured error signals consistently higher or lower than usual when a geomagnetic storm is happening?
    • You can use a spreadsheet program (e.g., Excel or QuattroPro) to perform a statistical analysis of the correlation between the error signal and the Kp index to find out. To learn how to calculate and interpret the correlation coefficient, see the Science Buddies project Which Team Batting Statistic Predicts Run Production Best?.
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Global Connections

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Variations

  • Can you use the error signal to identify times when there is increased geomagnetic storm activity?
    1. Make observations with your GPS receiver, as before, and determine the magnitude of the error signal. Record the observations in your lab notebook, including the date, time, and position information both with and without WAAS correction.
    2. Calculate the magnitude of the error signal.
    3. Use your graph to identify whether or not geomagnetic storm activity is likely to be occurring.
    4. Then check the Space Environment Center website to see if your prediction was correct.

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Tracking Geomagnetic Storms in the Ionosphere." Science Buddies, 5 Dec. 2023, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p009/weather-atmosphere/tracking-geomagnetic-storms-in-the-ionosphere. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2023, December 5). Tracking Geomagnetic Storms in the Ionosphere. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p009/weather-atmosphere/tracking-geomagnetic-storms-in-the-ionosphere


Last edit date: 2023-12-05
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