this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2026
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[–] Simulation6@sopuli.xyz 45 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Don't these fields fluctuate in some currently not understood way?

[–] edg@lemmy.world 47 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yes, constantly. The prepared map becomes less accurate over time.

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 22 points 1 month ago (2 children)

So you constantly need updated maps. Reminds me of celestial navigation where you always need an up-to-date almanac.

[–] Bluewing@lemmy.world 21 points 1 month ago

Hhhmmmm, sounds perfect for the subscription model......

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

But how do you get your position to update your map? Oh... GPS will work!

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What? You just download a new map for the area you want to go to every year or so, no need for GPS

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not sure you got me. How do the map makers update the map? If the gravity variance changes so it can't be used to determine your position then clearly you need some other way to determine your position to update the gravity map. And what might that be??

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Using the same reference points on earth that GPS uses, that doesn't mean using GPS.

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That doesn't work too well out in the ocean and lots of other places too. If you can't use your gravity map, you're gonna use GPS for precise position data.

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Coordinate systems existed before GPS.

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Not with GPS accuracy