Quasars are black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. Their signals could potentially form the basis for the most sophisticated navigation system ever created. However, this is hindered by signals from mobile devices.
Quasar navigation
Global navigation systems have become an important part of human life. They require satellites to be in orbit, which have to be launched there specifically for that purpose. However, it is quite possible to do without them if you try to determine your position using quasars.
Quasars are supermassive black holes located at the centers of galaxies. Such objects are usually invisible. But if a large amount of matter begins to fall on them, they turn into extremely powerful sources of radiation that can be detected across the entire Universe.
And in fact, in order to accurately determine one’s position, whether on Earth or in space, it is enough to simply study the relative positions of these signal sources. This can be handled even by modern computers that are not particularly sophisticated.
Problem with mobile devices
However, for this to happen, quasars should first be properly mapped, and this requires observing them using radio telescopes. But our mobile devices operate precisely at the frequencies at which quasars emit most intensely.
A few decades ago, this was not a problem, but nowadays, not only acoustic signals but also all mobile traffic passes through them. Therefore, they are given increasingly wider and wider bands. Under such conditions, it is not a question of the impossibility of mapping, but even of the practical use of quasar signals, if the navigation system can be built.
Therefore, scientists propose creating conditions for radio astronomy that will allow it to operate as before. Primarily, this concerns the creation of “quiet” zones around observatories and a series of measures to prevent satellites in orbit from emitting radiation in their direction.
According to phys.org
