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geostationary orbit
geostationary orbit (Clarke orbit) A satellite orbit in which the satellite travels on the equatorial plane in the same direction as the rotation of the Earth at a height of about 36 000 km (more than 5 Earth radii) above the equator. Its orbital period is exactly one sidereal day and therefore the satellite remains vertically above a fixed spot on the surface of the Earth. At this height it has a view of almost the whole of one hemisphere. The possibility of such an orbit was first suggested by Arthur C. Clarke, for whom the orbit is sometimes named. Compare GEOSYNCHRONOUS ORBIT.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-geostationaryorbit.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-geostationaryorbit.html |
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geostationary orbit
geostationary orbit A circular orbit 35 900 km above the Earth's equator, frequently used for communications satellites. A satellite in geostationary orbit moves at the same rate as the Earth spins, completing one revolution in 24 hours, so that it always remains at the same point above the Earth's equator. See also synchronous orbit.
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Cite this article
"geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-geostationaryorbit.html "geostationary orbit." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-geostationaryorbit.html |
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geostationary orbit
geostationary orbit Location of an artificial satellite so that it remains above the same point on a planet's surface because it completes one orbit in the same time it takes that planet to rotate once on its axis. Communications and remote-sensing satellites are often placed in geostationary orbits.
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"geostationary orbit." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "geostationary orbit." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-geostationaryorbit.html "geostationary orbit." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-geostationaryorbit.html |
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