Question

Is it possible to place a satellite in geostationary orbit over the north pole?

Asked by: Ken Bruckart

Answer

Clipart of a satellite orbiting the EarthNo, a geostationary orbit must be in the plane of the Earth's equator. That way, by matching its orbital speed with the speed of a point on the equator, the moving satellite appears to be stationary over that point. Any other orbit would have the satellite appear to drift above and below the equator during the course of a day.

A geosynchronous orbit matches the Earth's rotational speed, but only allows a satellite to appear over the same spot once per day. Depending on your stretch of that definition, a satellite in a perfect polar orbit would pass over each pole once per day and might be called 'geosynchronous', but like the time of day at the poles the terminology becomes ambiguous.

Answered by: Paul Walorski, B.A., Part-time Physics/Astronomy Instructor

Search

Loading



Sponsors

USC University of Southern California Dornsife College Physics and Astronomy Department McMaster University Physics and Astronomy Department

Science Quote

'All of us, are truly and literally a little bit of stardust.'

William Fowler
(1911-1995)

Deal of the Day

Image of Shark Tooth Fossil in Matrix. Click on this image for more info. Shark Tooth Fossil in Matrix
Regular Price: $39.95
Today's Price: $15.00
Superb shark fossil specimen for the science classroom! Buy it now! Deal ends at midnight!

Top Selling

Here are our physics & astronomy bestsellers:
Mini Plasma Ball
Slide Making Kit
Top Secret - Spinning Top
Wood Grain Newtons Cradle
Deluxe 3D Mirascope
Solar Radiometer
Periscope
Solar Science 4M Kit
Ultimate Chemistry Set CHEM C3000
3D Magnetic Field Tube