GPS Series: Satellite - TIROS Traditional Cache

This Geocache can be found on its own, or as part of the series that is placed within this section of land. You do not need to find any others in order to find this one, and all of them utilize the same parking location.

You can park your vehicle at N 43d 03.178’ x W 79d 16.229’

There are numerous ATV Trails throughout this area, however there is no signage to indicated that ATV’s are permitted.

The text after this is for those wishing to complete the entire series.

For most people, GPS Units and Satellites are basically some strange black box that we have a minor understanding of how it works, but most of the technical details are not really important. As long as we can find our way, that’s good enough. The short version is that GPS units determine our location based upon a calculation of the distance we are away from Satellites that are in orbit above the Earth. This is called Triangulation. Normally only three Satellites are needed to determine a location, but the more that are available the more accurate the GPS Unit becomes. However, even with multiple Satellites, accuracy can vary around 5-10 meters.

This Geocache is one of four Satellite Geocaches. On the outside of the container is the distance in meters that this location is away from the GPS Unit. By using the distances found on some or all of the Satellite Geocaches you will be able to find the GPS Unit.

The remainder of this Geocache Description is purely for historical or educational purposes. As such the rest of the provided text will not assist you with finding any of the Geocaches in the area.

As copied from: Frankins Forecast – Satellite History

In 1947, an unmanned American rocket carried a camera into outer space and recorded pictures of Earth from space. The pictures showed how the atmosphere appeared from above. Cloud formations were clearly visible. The pictures gave scientists proof that weather observations could be made from space on a regular basis.

In 1960, the first weather satellite was launched into orbit around planet Earth. Called TIROS, for Television InfraRed Observational Satellite, it carried a video camera to make regular observations of the atmosphere below. For the first time, meteorologists were able to compare their localized ground-based weather observations with broader pictures of the weather system. Weather forecasting took a dramatic leap forward. After the initial successes, nine more TIROS satellites were put into orbit during the 1960s.

In 1966, the United States placed its first weather satellite in high, geostationary orbit. Called ATS, for Applications Technology Satellite, the satellite traveled at the same speed the Earth rotates, appearing to remain stationary with respect to the Earth below. From this geostationary orbit location 22,300 miles above the equator, ATS took the first pictures showing a whole hemisphere of the Earth at once. With ATS images, meteorologists saw how clouds moved and storms formed over wide regions.

The development of satellite weather technology had an enormous impact on the field of meteorology. The big pictures came into focus, and weather forecasting became more accurate.

For more information regarding the History of Satellites, check out National Geographic: Eye in the Sky

Hope you enjoy the cache - Please ensure that the geocache is well hidden in the same location that it was found.

The Blue Quasar

Cache Maintenance Performed On: 31 JUL 08
Details: Archived - Cache Container Removed

Thanks to all those that visited.

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