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Trilateration - It's as easy as One, Two, Three! Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

tiddalik: No response from owner. If you wish to repair/replace the cache [red]in the next couple of months[/red], just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

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Hidden : 6/5/2008
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Simulate the operation of your GPS to locate a position using trilateration techniques.

The posted coordinates of this cache DO NOT indicate it's true location.  To determine where this cache is you will need to think like a GPS receiver by measuring the distance from several "satellites" and then computing the location of GZ.  You will employ trilateration techniques through mathematics, geometry or plain old fashioned guesswork.  Here's a picture that may help you get started:

But if I were you, I would break out my compass and a map of the city.  So let's get to work!

I have provided the waypoints of four geostationary satellites, three of which are required to locate your position in 2D.  The fourth will help you determine if any errors have crept into your calculations or map work.  The distance from GZ to each satellite can be calculated using the indicated information visible at the listed coordinates.

The final cache is hidden in typical inner city nano fashion.  There are no swaps and no pencil so bring your preferred writing implement with you.  No prize for FTF - just the glory of beating everyone else to what I am hoping is a reasonably challenging cache!

Check your answer using Evince to see if you are within 3m of the correct solution:

Click to verify coordinates

If you enjoyed this cache (and even if you didn't) try my Triangulate series to locate a cache based on bearings measured from two known locations:

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh'yy pbzr hauvatrq jvgubhg gur evtug pnyphyngvbaf...

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)