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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|CH|H2|GOO}} |
| {{references}}
| | [[Image:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|right|A diagram of a Geosynchronous orbit]] |
| {{Wikipedia}}
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| [[File:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|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. The term geosynchronous can be used to describe any orbital pattern with a period equal to that of its orbiting body, and in the same direction as the parent's rotation, but is specifically used for orbits with no inclination and a semimajor axis of equal length to the minor axis (i.e. circular). Satellites in geosynchronous orbits appear to maintain their longitude, while their latitude oscillates in a 24-hour period. The geosynchronous orbit over the equator is called the '''geostationary orbit'''. Satellites in the geostationary orbit appear stationary relative to the planet's surface.
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| ==Uses==
| | A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period. |
| [[Orbital defense platform]]s in particular make use of geosynchronous orbits to protect the planet they orbit from attack.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Armory]]''</ref> The terminus stations of [[space elevator]]s are also anchored to a geosynchronous, near-geostationary orbit.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/locations/gallery/space-tether/e9b2f438-9b5b-477e-8e52-d4e6801e9d5b '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Space Tether'']</ref>
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| ==Sources==
| | 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. |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| | [[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]]. |
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| [[Category:Astronomy]] | | [[Category:Astronomy]] |
