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Geostationary Satellites Beyond the Alps

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posted on Apr, 11 2012 @ 01:59 AM
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This is the very first time I see such a detailed video where we can clearly see the geostationary satellites staying motionless amongst the moving stars (the Earth rotation in fact).




Why don't those stars move? Stars in the sky will typically appear to rise and set as the Earth turns. Those far to the north or south will appear to circle the pole. If you look closely at the above time-lapse movie, however, there are points of light that appear stationary. These objects are not stars but human-launched robotic spacecraft that remain fixed high above the Earth's equator. Called geostationary satellites, they don't fall down because they do orbit the Earth -- they just orbit at exactly the same speed that the Earth rotates. The orbital distance where this is possible is much farther than the International Space Station but much closer than the Moon. The video was taken from one of the highest revolving restaurants in the world located on the Mittelallalin in the Swiss Alps. In the foreground is a mountain known as the Allalinhorn. An even closer inspection will show that the geostationary satellites flash with glints of reflected sunlight. The satellites also all appear on a single line -- actually the projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky.


Source: APOD
Original Source: Michael Kunze



posted on Apr, 11 2012 @ 02:39 AM
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Bump for APOD

I want that on my ceiling so I can go to sleep watching the universe go by.




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