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