Geosynchronous orbit: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|right|A diagram of a Geosynchronous orbit]]

A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period. This synchronization means that for an observer at a fixed location on [[Earth]], a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day. In principle, any orbit with a period equal to the planet's rotational period is technically geosynchronous, however, the term is almost always used to refer to the special case of a geosynchronous orbit that is circular (or nearly circular) and at zero (or nearly zero) inclination, that is, directly above the equator. This is sometimes called a geostationary orbit.

A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period.

This synchronization means that for an observer at a fixed location on [[Earth]], a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day. In principle, any orbit with a period equal to the planet's rotational period is technically geosynchronous, however, the term is almost always used to refer to the special case of a geosynchronous orbit that is circular (or nearly circular) and at zero (or nearly zero) inclination, that is, directly above the equator. This is sometimes called a geostationary orbit.

[[Orbital Defence Platform]]s in particular make use of geostationary orbits to protect certain ground regions from attack; [[Cairo Station]], for example, orbited directly over Cairo city, taking its name. Other satellites orbit in traditional geosynchronous orbits, returning to the same point in orbit every rotation of the [[Earth]].

[[Category:Astronomy]]

Geosynchronous orbit: Difference between revisions

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 [[Image:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|right|A diagram of a Geosynchronous orbit]]
-A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period. This synchronization means that for an observer at a fixed location on [[Earth]], a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day. In principle, any orbit with a period equal to the planet's rotational period is technically geosynchronous, however, the term is almost always used to refer to the special case of a geosynchronous orbit that is circular (or nearly circular) and at zero (or nearly zero) inclination, that is, directly above the equator. This is sometimes called a geostationary orbit.
+A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period.
+This synchronization means that for an observer at a fixed location on [[Earth]], a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day. In principle, any orbit with a period equal to the planet's rotational period is technically geosynchronous, however, the term is almost always used to refer to the special case of a geosynchronous orbit that is circular (or nearly circular) and at zero (or nearly zero) inclination, that is, directly above the equator. This is sometimes called a geostationary orbit.
 [[Orbital Defence Platform]]s in particular make use of geostationary orbits to protect certain ground regions from attack; [[Cairo Station]], for example, orbited directly over Cairo city, taking its name. Other satellites orbit in traditional geosynchronous orbits, returning to the same point in orbit every rotation of the [[Earth]].
 [[Category:Astronomy]]