How does GPS know where you are?

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

American Public Media

Kids & Family, Education For Kids

4.4 • 13.5K Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2018

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Without GPS, we’d be lost. Literally. Thanks to these radio transmissions from space though, we’re able to pinpoint our location and find our way home. Join us as we learn all about satellites, how the robot voice of GPS is created and how atomic clocks hold it all together. Plus a mystery sound and a brand new Moment of Um answers the question: "What is light made of?" Today's episode is sponsored by Kind Snacks (KindSnacks.com/BRAINS), Vamousse (vamousselice.com) and Roshambo Baby (roshambobaby.com and offer code BRAINS).

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to Brains On, where we're serious about being curious.
0:04.6	Brains On is supported on part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
0:12.2	Sophia, where are we right now?
0:15.8	Well, according to the GPS, we're on 7th Minnesota in downtown St. Paul.
0:22.5	And only a few blocks from our studios. Should we go there now?
0:26.0	Yeah.
0:27.1	Okay, let's go.
0:28.1	In 800 feet, turn right onto Wibasha Street North.
0:31.3	So you know, GPS is pretty amazing.
0:33.3	And it's pretty much everywhere.
0:35.2	It's a thing that helps you know where you are. Exactly where you are.
0:38.8	It's on smartphones, cars, planes, trucks, ships, tractors.
0:44.5	But what is GPS exactly?
0:47.1	And how does it work? We'll find out right now. Keep listening.
0:50.9	And we'll hustle back to the studio.
0:58.3	Woo! And we're back.
1:03.2	We don't need GPS. So tell us that this is Brains On from American Public Media.
1:07.2	I'm Molly Bloom and my co-host today is 9-year-old Sophia Chu.
1:11.1	Welcome, Sophia.
1:12.2	Thanks.
1:13.2	Sophia is here today to help me answer a question that was sent to us from Casey,
1:17.2	who lives in Porter Ranch, California.
	...

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