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'Electronic Fog' From Wireless Devices Might Block Study of Space

by Caleb Johnson on November 3, 2009 at 08:29 AM

As our world becomes increasingly wireless, scientists must grapple with the effects of millions of people using devices like cell phones and laptops. After all, there's only so much space on the electromagnetic spectrum. You might not consider it while Googling or browsing Facebook, but that signal you're transmitting could be making it tougher for some scientists to do their jobs.

That's why the U.S. National Research Center (NRC), in a report released today, is calling for tougher regulations on the emissions of wireless signals. According to LiveScience, man-made signals have created an "electronic fog" that often blocks natural signals from the Earth or outer space. Scientists monitor these signals to keep an eye on temperature and water level changes in the atmosphere, to determine weather patterns, and even to learn about the origins of the universe.

To address this problem, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has protected certain parts of the spectrum, but the NRC says that's not good enough. The group suggests taking a page out of the cell phone companies' book. Instead of reserving parts of a spectrum for certain signals, a cell phone network juggles use of a spectrum between many users. So instead of having a part of the spectrum going unused, access is "juggled" to whoever needs it at that time -- like if a scientist needs to briefly access a satellite for a measurement.

This plan sounds fine to us. Well, just as long as those pesky scientists don't slow down our wireless connection. After all, the weather forecast is important, but not as important as checking Facebook on our iPhone. [From: LiveScience]

Tags: cellphone, electromagnetic, electronics, emissions, fcc, satellite, science, top, wireless

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