September 26, 2007: Geostationary satellites

09-26-2007, 11:09 PM

Where are the GPS satellites?

tulzscha · 09-26-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aero geek

Where are the GPS satellites?

Not geostationary, so not visible in the picture.

CharlieG · 09-27-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aero geek

Where are the GPS satellites?

They are not geosyc!

HungLikeJesus · 09-27-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieG

They are not geosyc!

Geosycamore?

Saphyre · 09-27-2007, 04:19 PM

GPS Satellites operate in a Mid-Earth Orbit, approximately 1/2 of the height of the satellites shown in UT's pic. This type of orbit allows for better GPS service near the polar regions of the Earth.

<-- doesn't play the "dumb" game

predatormc · 09-27-2007, 05:28 PM

8.5 hours; the photographer must have steady hands.

glatt · 09-27-2007, 05:53 PM

Undertoad, I didn't mention this before, but this IotD is a great one. Good job!

It has slowly grown on me over the last couple days. I was mulling over the possibility of taking a similar image myself. I wonder what sort of equipment you need? The link says it was taken at Kitt Peak, but not which instrument was used. I wonder if it was one of the big telescopes there, or just a camera on a tripod with a long exposure? The satellites are +10 to +14 magnitude in brightness, but I don't know exactly what that means in camera exposure speak. Eight hours is a long exposure.

Looking at the link again, it says the view spans about 10% of the arc. That's roughly like a 50mm lens. You should be able to reproduce this shot in your back yard with a 35 mm camera on a tripod! (assuming a clear night.)

Cool.

dar512 · 09-27-2007, 05:55 PM

Wouldn't you get too much light pollution there in Arlington?

glatt · 09-27-2007, 05:58 PM

Yeah, way too much here. I can see the planets and the moon though.

But you know, when you travel to someplace nice and have a clear night, you can do this.

09-27-2007, 04:19 PM	#5
Saphyre Dedicated WoWer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Fernando Valley, So. Cali Posts: 35	Orbits GPS Satellites operate in a Mid-Earth Orbit, approximately 1/2 of the height of the satellites shown in UT's pic. This type of orbit allows for better GPS service near the polar regions of the Earth. <-- doesn't play the "dumb" game __________________ You used to captivate me, by your resonating light, now I'm bound by the life you left behind Your face, it haunts my once pleasant dreams, your voice, it chased away all the sanity in me

09-27-2007, 05:55 PM	#8
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Wouldn't you get too much light pollution there in Arlington? __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

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09-26-2007, 11:09 PM	#1
aero geek Guest Posts: n/a	Where are the GPS satellites?

09-27-2007, 05:28 PM	#6
predatormc The mug rack at the End of the World. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK Posts: 5	8.5 hours; the photographer must have steady hands.

09-27-2007, 05:53 PM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Undertoad, I didn't mention this before, but this IotD is a great one. Good job! It has slowly grown on me over the last couple days. I was mulling over the possibility of taking a similar image myself. I wonder what sort of equipment you need? The link says it was taken at Kitt Peak, but not which instrument was used. I wonder if it was one of the big telescopes there, or just a camera on a tripod with a long exposure? The satellites are +10 to +14 magnitude in brightness, but I don't know exactly what that means in camera exposure speak. Eight hours is a long exposure. Looking at the link again, it says the view spans about 10% of the arc. That's roughly like a 50mm lens. You should be able to reproduce this shot in your back yard with a 35 mm camera on a tripod! (assuming a clear night.) Cool.

09-27-2007, 05:58 PM	#9
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Yeah, way too much here. I can see the planets and the moon though. But you know, when you travel to someplace nice and have a clear night, you can do this.

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