2006-09-23 14:13:17 · 5 answers · asked by amadis151 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
orbiting at the same distance,
i guess because the earth and the moon are close enough and far away enough where there gravity cancels each others out.
2006-09-23 14:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by sur2124 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A synchronous orbit is one in which a satellite orbits its host at the same speed as the rotational speed of the host planet. Thus the orbiting satellite will seem to be motionless at a particular longitude over the planet's surface.
Geosynchronous orbits are used for communications, observation, and navigation satellites. If an orbit is "geosynchronous," that means it is a synchronous orbit around the earth. A geosynchronous orbit is at an altitude of 26,200 miles.
NOTE: THE MOON'S ORBIT IS NOT A SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT. Several replies have shown some confusion about this. The moon's orbit has a primary axial radius of approximately 240,000 miles, so it orbits much more slowly than the earth rotates.
The moon orbits the earth about once every 28 days. By coincidence (and it is only a coincidence) the moon also rotates on its own axis at the same rate. That is why the moon always has the same side turned to face the earth. It's just something that happened. But that is not what a synchronous orbit is.
2006-09-23 17:37:04 · answer #2 · answered by aviophage 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Geo-synchronous orbit for a satellite means that the satellite orbits the earth once every day. This makes it stay over the same general area of the earth 24-hours a day.
By the moon's orbit being synchronous, I think you mean the same side of the moon facing earth. This is because of tidal effects slowing down (or possibly speeding it up) the moon's rotation until it always faces the earth.
2006-09-23 14:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A synchronous orbit is an orbit in which an orbiting body (usually a satellite) has a period equal to the average rotational period of the body being orbited (usually a planet), and in the same direction of rotation as that body.
(basically, the orbiting body always shows the same side to the main body)
2006-09-23 15:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by i_sivan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they
set it that way
to hide there activities
since dark side cant be seen from earth
2006-09-23 14:23:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋