Journey North Crane

Where on Earth?
A Look at GPS

Click on the GPS receiver to see what each button is for. Photo OM

Stars and Navigation
Imagine waking up in the middle of nowhere all alone. How would you know where you were? If it were nighttime and the sky was clear, you could look up at the stars. If you could measure at any hour precisely what angle various stars were in relation to you, you could calculate your position. That is what sailors did for many centuries using a special tool called a sextant.

Many birds that migrate at nighttime use the stars for navigation, too. Of course, they don't use a sextant. They simply migrate toward or away from the North Star.

GPS: Navigating Made Easier
The problem with depending on the stars to set a direction or find out where you are is that stars are only visible at night, and only when clouds don't cover them up. That's why the Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed. Instead of using stars, this system uses satellites — "human-made stars." GPS is a worldwide radio-navigation system based on 24 satellites and their five ground stations. Each of the satellites sends out a unique radio signal.

A GPS receiver (click the photo to enlarge) works like a radio, but it gets its signals from the satellites instead of from radio stations. As long as a GPS receiver can get signals from at least three or four satellites, it can calculate precisely where on Earth it is. The calculations are based on the time it takes for signals from the satellites to reach the receiver. GPS can be used to figure out where you are on the planet at time of day, in any weather.

Hear ultralight pilot Joe Duff tell how GPS helps
Photo OM

Moving Right Along: GPS Helps!
A GPS receiver can do more than calculate where it is. It can also keep a constant record of how fast it is moving and what its altitude is. The ultralight pilots rely on their GPS receivers to tell them how far and how long they must fly before they get to their stopover sites. Then they can judge if the birds can make it without tiring and needing to land. If a crane gets tired and drops out, the pilot can radio the location to ground trackers, who can then locate the "missing" bird.

Try this! Discussion and Journaling

Look at the longitude and latitude on the GPS above. Where was this GPS receiver photo taken?
The ultralight airplanes flying with the cranes have GPS receivers, so why do you think each also has an altimeter and a speedometer?
Would the GPS receiver show the plane's ground speed or air speed? Why?
Now GPS receivers are on airplanes, buses, and even many cars. What are some situations in which a GPS could be helpful for travelers?

National Science Education Standards

Technology used to gather data enhances accuracy and allows scientists to analyze and quantify results of investigations.
The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, speed.
The sun, moon, stars, clouds, birds, and airplanes all have properties, locations, and movements that can be observed and described.
People have always had problems and invented tools and techniques to solve problems.
Tools help scientists make better observations, measurements, and equipment for investigations.

Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).