Quote:
Originally Posted by KrisH
that is the correct gramatical meaning of the word, but most people usually use the word for satellites that stay the same in the same spot compared to the ground below. Other people call it Geosynchronous orbit wich is the correct term. But mostly its the same thing people reffer to
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I understand the vernacular distinction, but I thought this could only be achieved along the equator. Upon a little research, it appears that's not an accurate understanding. Apparently, a geosynchronous satellite can be relatively stationary even away from the equator, but will appear to oscillate around a fixed point. Only at the equator will it actually be geostationary, which was my original allusion.