Published: 24th June 2008 | Author: Sky News
Aurora borealis, the dazzling light shows in northern skies, may look pretty but could end up leading pilots, drivers and seafarers up the garden path, according to research by the University of Bath.
The natural phenomenon - also known as the Northern Lights - is capable of breaking up the signals that satellite navigation systems depend upon.
Sat-nav devices pick up the signals from global positioning satellites orbiting more than 12,600 miles above the earth and use them to calculate their position.
The study used three closely-positioned sat-nav systems in Norway to measure the signal strength before, during and after an aurora borealis event.
Researchers found that the intense electrical activity created in the atmosphere interfered with the signals.
This reduces the accuracy of systems, especially at times when the lights are most active.
As well as helping drivers negotiate city roads and country lanes, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have proved an essential tool for the military, emergency services, pilots and seafarers.
The Northern Lights are caused by high-speed particles from the sun hitting the atmosphere and releasing energy as brightly coloured light.
