Sats2 : NTS-2 (Navigation Technology Satellite) Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Granitic Intrusions: With the 20th anniversary fast approaching it is time to archive this series of caches.
Glad lots of people got to enjoy them.

More
Hidden : 3/5/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

About the Sats series ....
We recommend starting this 10 cache series at Sats1 : Timation. That way you can find 10 caches on the way down the old wagon road and then enjoy the leisurely walk back up to Rossland. An alternative would be to arrange for a ride from cache #10 (at the old abandoned golf course entrance) up the highway back to Rossland. Please do not attempt to drive along the route as it is closed to motorized vehicles. Some sections of this old road are very rough and the lower end is blocked with concrete barriers. Parking coordinates are provided for the upper end of the trail. You could also park at cache #10. As with all trails around Rossland watch out for mountain bikes and bears !
Allow up to 3 hours for the whole series.
I really enjoyed learning about the history and workings of the GPS satellites and hope you find the write-ups interesting.

About this cache ....
This cache is located just outside the beautiful old Calvary Cemetary. No bushwhacking required. The best access is right through the cemetary via the main entrance. Get back on the old wagon road to continue the series.

NTS-2
Satellite info ....
On June 23, 1977 a new era in navigation and timekeeping history began. The NTS-2 (Navigation Technology Satellite) was launched . This was the prototype GPS satellite and weighed only 431 kg. Among the many experiments conducted with this satellite was the verification of Einstein's "relativistic clock shift".
According to Albert Einsteins theory of special relativity the gravitational field of all massive objects, including the Earth, cause a curvature in “spacetime” that is most pronounced near their surface. Therefore time passes faster for the satellites in high orbits relative to time here on the Earths surface. Experiments have proven that this is indeed true and has a very pronounced effect on signal accuracy even though the time difference can be measured in nanoseconds. To appreciate that time span - It takes 1000 nanoseconds to equal a microsecond and a microsecond equals one millionth of a second so a nanosecond equals 1 billionth of a second. Learning of and confirming the existence of this time difference was one of many tasks accomplished with these satellites !

Curvature in "spacetime"

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre ovt sve gerr

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)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...