geostacionário

Geostacionário refers to an orbit around the Earth that has a specific altitude and is aligned with the Earth's equator. A satellite in a geostationary orbit appears to remain in a fixed position in the sky relative to an observer on the ground. This is because the satellite orbits the Earth at the same rate that the Earth rotates on its axis, completing one orbit in approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, which is a sidereal day. The altitude required for this orbit is approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the Earth's mean sea level.

The primary advantage of geostationary orbits is their apparent stillness. This makes them ideal for communication satellites, such as those used for broadcasting television and radio signals, as ground-based antennas do not need to track the satellite's movement. Weather satellites also utilize geostationary orbits to provide continuous monitoring of weather patterns over specific regions. However, the high altitude means that signals can experience some delay, known as latency, and coverage at the poles is limited. Satellites in geostationary orbits are strategically placed above the equator to maintain their fixed position over a particular point on Earth.