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> ...my phone detected one of those satellites earlier about 2-3 weeks ago. Interesting, especially considering I'm nowhere near Japan. Could be an error, but
by jessriedel 9y ago
> ...my phone detected one of those satellites earlier about 2-3 weeks ago. Interesting, especially considering I'm nowhere near Japan.
Could be an error, but you could just be in Australia or just about anywhere on the Eastern hemisphere. The orbits are geosynchronous and thus very high.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-Zenith_Satellite_System#/media/File:Qzss-45-0.09.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-Zenith_Satellite_System#...
- robocat 9y agoDefinitely not geosynchronous. It is a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System as per your link. A lovely animation of three satellites: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Qzss-01-120s2.gif https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Qzss-01-...
- vardump 9y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-Zenith_Satellite_System#Orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-Zenith_Satellite_System#... "QZSS uses three satellites, each 120° apart, in highly inclined, slightly elliptical, geosynchronous orbits. Because of this inclination, they are not geostationary; they do not remain in the same place in the sky. Instead, their ground traces are asymmetrical figure-8 patterns (analemmas), designed to ensure that one is almost directly overhead (elevation 60° or more) over Japan at all times."
- robocat 9y agoAhhhh: geosynchronous versus geostationary. I hope I wasn't the only confused muppet!
- samnardoni 9y agoThat animation clearly shows they are geosynchronous?