Geostationary



GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth.

Because GOES satellites stay above a fixed spot on the surface, they provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric 'triggers' for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop the GOES satellites are able to monitor storm development and track their movements. GOES satellite imagery is also used to estimate rainfall during the thunderstorms and hurricanes for flash flood warnings, as well as estimates snowfall accumulations and overall extent of snow cover.

Such data help meteorologists issue winter storm warnings and spring snow melt advisories. Satellite sensors also detect ice fields and map the movements of sea and lake ice.


  • 1.2.1 Geostationary satellites A geostationary satellite is in an orbit that can only be achieved at an altitude very close to 35,786 km (22,236 miles) and which keeps the satellite fixed over one longitude at the equator. The satellite appears motionless at a fixed position in the sky to ground observers.
  • Geostationary orbit definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation.
  • The Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) is an internationally known research center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. SSEC develops and utilizes instrumentation, algorithms, satellite ground and satellite archive systems to study the Earth and other planetary atmospheres.
  • / dʒiː.oʊˌsteɪ.ʃ ə n. Ə r.i ˈɔːr.bɪt / an orbit (= path travelled around an object in space) in which a satellite always remains over the same place on the earth's surface because it moves at the same speed as the earth turns SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.
Also found in: Thesaurus, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

Geostationary orbit is that particular orbit where the orbital period of a satellite is equal to that of earth (24 hrs). Due to this, the position of earth and satellite is always fixed. The satellite is always present over a particular region on.

Related to geostationary: Geostationary satellite

ge·o·sta·tion·ar·y

(jē′ō-stā′shə-nĕr′ē)adj.Geostationary
1. Of, relating to, or being a satellite that travels above earth's equator from west to east at an altitude of approximately 35,900 kilometers (22,300 miles) and at an angular speed matching that of the earth's rotation, thus remaining stationary as observed from any location on the earth's surface.
2. Of, relating to, or being the orbit of such a satellite.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

geostationary

(

Geostationary Orbit

ˌdʒiːəʊˈsteɪʃənərɪ) adj
(Astronautics) (of a satellite) in a circular equatorial orbit in which it circles the earth once per sidereal day so that it appears stationary in relation to the earth's surface. Also: geosynchronous
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ge•o•sta•tion•ar•y

(ˌdʒi oʊˈsteɪ ʃəˌnɛr i)
adj.
of, pertaining to, or designating a satellite traveling in an orbit 22,300 mi. (35,900 km) above the earth's equator, at which the satellite's period of rotation matches the earth's and the satellite always remains in the same spot over the earth; geosynchronous.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Adj.1.geostationary - of or having a geosynchronous orbit such that the position in such an orbit is fixed with respect to the earth; 'a geostationary satellite'
fixed - securely placed or fastened or set; 'a fixed piece of wood'; 'a fixed resistor'
Geosynchronous
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

geostationary

[ˌdʒiːəʊˈsteɪʃənərɪ]ADJ → geoestacionario
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

geostationary

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Geostationary
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

Geostationary Orbit Definition

Link to this page:

Geostationary Definition