ATM OCN 100 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Geostationary Orbit, Northern Hemisphere, Coriolis Force
30 Oct 2014
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2 types of satellite orbits: geostationary (geo): circles the earth once every 24 hours at an altitude of about. It appears stationary over a fixed point at the equator, always at the equator. Time interval 15/30 minutes: polar (leo): orbits the poles in a low-earth orbit about 850km above earth"s surface. Good at seeing the poles, going to each pole. Good for seeing the other hemisphere, as well as detail since so close. Most of the time, look at geo satellites because we are more concerned about weather changing in a short period of time. If you want to see the surface from space in geo, observe at wavelengths of: atmospheric window (10-12, something in visible wavelength (0. 4-0. 8) Absorption really weak so you can see down to surface. Clouds are very good absorbers of infrared radiation. Pressure gradient force (pgf): the force that arises from changes in pressure over distance, divided by the air density.
