New GPS reference point for the city of Chemnitz
Official inauguration on Johannisplatz on 23 September, 10 a.m.
There are so-called GPS reference points to check the correct GPS receiver of car navigation devices or GPS-enabled smartphones. In Chemnitz, a new GPS reference point is being set up at Johannisplatz. Mayor Michael Stötzer will officially open it for use on 23 September at 10 a.m. on Johannisplatz.
The GPS reference point is freely accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In co-operation with the municipal surveying office and the Mercatorverein e. V., the point was precisely measured - much more precisely than is possible with conventional leisure equipment.
A metal plate was manufactured together with the Saxony State Office for Geodetic Information and Surveying to fix the point. With this plate mounted on a seating block near the Saxoniabrunnen fountain, every user can now check the accuracy of their device themselves. The precise data is of interest to users of navigation devices, motorists, hikers, cyclists and fans of electronic scavenger hunts such as geocaching.
At least four satellites are required simultaneously to calculate position and altitude in space. Under optimal conditions, more than eight satellites can be received today. The more satellites that can be analysed during the measurement, the more accurate the position calculation. Navigation receivers used individually achieve an accuracy of five to ten metres.
More information on the Internet at: http://www.landesvermessung.sachsen.de/inhalt/info/ref/referenz.html