What’s the best site to track the number of satellites above?
Do you know how many satellites are flying above our heads right now? Jonathan McDowell does. He has the most informative and up-to-date site about satellites. Don’t be put off by the colours. He is a legit astrophysicist and even has a minor planet (aka asteroid) named after him. (Also, check out his two additions to the English language.)
Orbits of Satellites
In the vast expanse of space, satellites are our eyes and ears, constantly orbiting Earth and providing invaluable information. These satellites operate in different orbits, each serving unique purposes. This article will help you understand the three main types of satellite orbits – Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) – and how to explain them to your students following our demonstration in the planetarium.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
LEO satellites are closest to Earth, typically orbiting at altitudes between 160 to 2,000 kilometres. Due to their proximity, they offer high-resolution imagery and faster communication. These satellites orbit Earth quickly, usually completing a loop in about 90 to 120 minutes. Examples include the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, and spy and weather satellites. When you see these in our planetarium, they appear as yellow lines close to Earth, moving rapidly.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
Sitting at altitudes between 2,000 and 35,786 kilometers, MEO satellites take longer to orbit Earth, typically 2 to 8 hours. They are often used for navigation systems like GPS. These satellites offer a balance between coverage area and signal strength. In our planetarium, they look like a swarm surrounding Earth; their orbits appear further out than LEO satellites, taking longer to complete a full circle.
Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
GEO satellites orbit at approximately 35,786 kilometres, directly above the equator. Unique to GEO is that they orbit Earth at the same rate that the Earth rotates, meaning they remain fixed over one spot. This makes them perfect for communication and weather satellites that need to monitor the same area consistently. In our planetarium, these satellites appear as yellow lines forming a ring at a great distance from Earth, seemingly stationary.
Check out where all satellites are in our planetarium
In our planetarium, we can visually demonstrate these orbits. The yellow lines in the sky represent the paths these satellites take. LEOs move rapidly across the screen, MEOs at a moderate pace, and GEOs appear almost stationary. This visual aid helps students grasp the vastness of space and the complexity of satellite technology.
Satellites play a crucial role in our understanding of the world and beyond. By explaining LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites, you can ignite a passion for space and technology in your students. Our planetarium software is an excellent tool to bring these concepts to life.
Spaceward Bound Video: Satellites
Here is a video made with the software we use in our planetarium by Sam, who also narrates it.
