Where, relative to the horizon, would a geostationary satellite appear to an observer standing at the North Pole?
ANS: To be geostationary a satellite must orbit in the plane of the Earth’s Equator. An observer standing at the North Pole (or South Pole) with a clear unobstructed horizon would just be able to see the satellite on the horizon. • Five equidistant (spaced out at equal distances from each other) communications satellites are placed in geostationary orbits. What is the maximum number of satellites that could be seen by a ground-based observer standing on the Equator? ANS: Each satellite is about 72 degrees apart along the celestial equator. The maximum angle seen from the ground is 180 degrees. The maximum number that could be seen from the Equator is three. One on the horizon, one 72 degrees away, and a third 144 degress further away from the first. A fourth satellite would lie below the horizon. However, at the North pole, it is possible to see all five satellites on the horizon at the same time. • Using an enlarged copy of the map below, and following the procedure outlined, plot the
