The researchers went on to say, “The geomagnetic conditions were disturbed at this time with the interplanetary magnetic field southward for a period of several hours. Magnetometers from the IMAGE network in Scandinavia showed evidence of a 2000 nT substorm.”

The researchers then compared the GPS measurements with all-sky camera (ASC) data. They concluded that the reduction in signal strength was due to the “GPS ray paths crossing electron density structures associated with the aurora.”

They based their decision on the fact that: “The ASC images reveal moving auroral structures at the same time as the GPS signals show movement of the ionospheric regions causing fading. The results indicate that at high latitudes low-elevation GPS signals can suffer sudden fading due to E-region auroral events.”

Most importantly, they state, “This is the first time that a direct connection has been established between the loss of lock on a GPS receiver and diffractive fading caused by auroral precipitation.”

What is GPS and what is our near-time outlook on auroral activity, in the northern and southern hemispheres, over the next few years? Please read on to find out.