Geosynchronous Weather Satellite Coverage to Limb

Satellites have made weather forecasts much more accurate than they were when your parents were little. They allow Meteorologists to track weather systems from far out in the ocean where no one is, and they let us see the BIG picture all at once. They do more than just give us a look at where the clouds are, they can measure the temperature of the ground, the clouds, and water. The satellite pictures you see on TV each night are usually from the GOES 8and GOES 9 spacecraft. GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite!

What does Geo-stationary mean ???  
   A Geo-stationary satellite is very very high... much higher than the Space Shuttle goes when astronauts go into orbit. The Shuttle can go about 500 kilometers high. The GOES satellite is over 35,000 kilometers above the Earth. At this height, it takes the satellite about 24 hours to go around the Earth... but, since the Earth itself turns around once each 24 hours, the satellite is always over the same spot! That's why we call it Geo (Earth) Stationary (not moving)!

Satellites and Orbits: an Introduction
by the Integrated Program Office Outreach Team.

An easy-to-use interactive, animated introduction to satellites and the forces which determine orbits.
Grades 8 through 10.
Approximately 1.25 hours.

 

 

There are 3 main types of satellite pictures

1. Visible
2. Infrared
3. Water Vapor
4. Composite Views

Learning Activities
	Satellites
	Satellite History
	Satellite Science
	Satellite Images
	Night-time Satellite View of Earth
	Exploring Satellite Oceanography
	Using Satellites to Learn about Weather
	Satellite Meteorology - Online Guide