MUNDANE MYSTERIES: How Does Our GPS Know Exactly Where We Are?

Professional middle aged trucker using truck GPS navigation to transport and deliver goods to the destination. Transportation services.

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: How Does Our GPS Know Exactly Where We Are?

You’ve probably used your GPS at least a few time already just today. We’re all used to it being so easy now whether you use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. It just works. But how?!

GPS (Global Positioning System) is made up of more than 30 satellites that circle the Earth. Your GPS receiver in the device (phone, car, etc…) listens to all these signals until it can calculate distance from four or more of the GPS satellites. From there it can figure out where you are. Science!

So now the next time you’re looking up how to get to the nearest Dunkin’ you know exactly what’s happening. A lot going on in that millisecond between your phone and space.

 

Photo credit: Getty Images