Difference between Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit
Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit are two types of orbits that satellites use to circle around the Earth.
The main difference between Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit is that the former always remains stationary with respect to a point on Earth’s surface, while the latter may seem to move slightly over the course of a day.
Before we move to the differences, let’s understand what are Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit:
- Geostationary Orbit: Geostationary Orbit is a path around the Earth where a satellite stays in the same spot all the time. It’s like standing still in the sky because it moves at the same speed as the Earth.
- Geosynchronous Orbit: Geosynchronous Orbit is also a path around the Earth, but here, a satellite can move a bit. It still takes 24 hours to go around once, just like the Earth, but it doesn’t have to stay in the same spot.
Now, let’s move to Geostationary Orbit vs Geosynchronous Orbit:
Major differences between Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit
| Geostationary Orbit | Geosynchronous Orbit |
|---|---|
| A geostationary orbit stays over the same point on the Earth’s equator at all times, | A geosynchronous orbit can shift north or south of the equator. |
| Satellites in geostationary orbit maintain a constant longitude on Earth, | Satellites in geosynchronous orbit can appear to move in an east-west direction. |
| Geostationary orbits are always at an altitude of approximately 36,000 kilometers, | Geosynchronous orbits can be at various altitudes. |
| Satellites in geostationary orbit follow the Earth’s rotation exactly, | Satellites in geosynchronous orbit may have a slight drift each day. |
| Geostationary orbits are perfect for communication satellites as they stay fixed relative to the ground, | Geosynchronous orbits, with their apparent motion, are used for different applications like weather monitoring. |
That’s it.
Note that sometimes, the question might also be asked as “distinguish between Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit”.
Also see:
- Difference between Geostationary and Geosynchronous
- Difference between George Cross and Victoria Cross
- Difference between Geophone and Hydrophone
Final words
Understanding the difference between these two orbits can help you better comprehend how different satellites function in space.
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