Keywords: Geosynchronous orbit.gif Geosynchronous orbit animation This shows a satellite in a geosynchronous actually geostationary orbit about the Earth When orbiting at a certain height a satellite's period of rotation is the same as the Earth's exactly one day If the satellite is orbiting above the equater as here it appears from the Earth not to move hovering at the same point in the sky Communication satellites have geosynchronous orbits so the satellite dishes which communicate with them do not have to move but can be pointed permanently at the point in the sky where they appear own Talifero 2010 01 09 19 05 13 Celestial mechanics Orbits Animated gifs of orbits Animations on black background |