Why can't we see Earth rotating, when we watch it from satellite?

Question

The earth will rotate right? But why can't we see it rotating. Or I never feel it rotating.

Answer 1

The satellites are of different kind. Polar satellites, Geosynchronous satellites, and low orbit satellites. Polar satellites move from pole to pole not around the equator. Geosynchronous rotate along with Earth at Earth speed. Low orbit satellites rotate at faster speeds around earth. We cannot see Earth rotating but we can understand or see it indirectly.
Polar satellite: We will find a new place on earth by the time we cover one circle around Earth. This gives us clear feel that the earth is rotating.
Geosynchronous satellite: We will always see the same part of Earth but the stars on the back drop of Earth keeps changing indicating that Earth and satellite together are rotating.
Low orbit satellite: These satellites orbit earth very fast. Completion of one rotation by satellite with respect to stars has to be considered. Then you would notice change of place on Earth for every rotation.
By the by how do you see Earth rotation sitting on Earth? That is done by observing relative movement of Sun or stars. Now you must be in a position to understand better.

Answer 2

The Earth is so large it'd have to go much faster for the rotation to be apparent from a satellite, because you are seeing a large portion of the planet. However, if you were on a satellite and had a pair of binoculars or a telescope aimed at a location on Earth, the movement of the Earth and the satellite would be noticable. You also see the movement when you are looking at something in the sky with a telescope. Under high power, the movement is so apparent that the object only stays in view for a few seconds. Telescopes are often fitted with motor drives that move in a motion opposite that of the Earth's to keep the object in view.

You don't notice the motion of the Earth because you are in equilibrium with it's motion.

Answer 3

This is similar to wondering why we don't see the hour hands on a clock moving: we know they are but they move so slowly we cannot see their motion in the short term. And the hour hands are moving TWICE as fast as the earth rotates, to give you an idea of its relative speed. Also, satellites need to be traveling in geosynchronous orbit or faster to escape earth's gravity, otherwise they would have a very short life span.

Answer 4

While the earth rotates, the law of Inertia is applicable so you dont feel as rotate.

The earthing is rotating at a lenier speed of 1669.797Kmph at the surface.

Look at Sun rise and sun set you can see some movements.

Answer 5

Typically, satellites are in geosynchronous orbits. This means they are always above the same spot. So the satellite rotates at the same angular speed and therefore we don't notice any rotation of the earth.

Answer 6

You actually can see it rotating if you watch the stars in the background (if visible), just as you watch them in the nightsky. It may take a little time, but you'll notice that they move just like the stars and sun observed on the surface. You can't feel it since you're moving with it, just like you don't feel like you're moving in an elevator (in between the starting and ending acceleration at least).

Answer 7

There are 2 definitions of "day." One refers to 20-4 hours, that's the size of day on earth (now, one thousand million years in the past it circled faster, which meant that an earth day become, say, 23 hrs and 40 5 minutes. yet another definition for "day" is the time it takes for a planet (any planet, everywhere in the universe) to rotate as quickly as (relative to the planet's sunlight). ultimately, there is another form of "day." Sidereal day that's slightly shorter than an earth day. (23.9 hours). this is how long it takes the earth takes to make one revolution as seen from a much off megastar. of path, we are able to't be on a much off megastar, so we actually define it using fact the time between whilst a particular megastar ( you get to %. your individual) is at a particular element in the sky and the very next time that's at that comparable element - approximately 23.9 hours. of course, we are no longer making an allowance for relativity. that's for day after on the instant.

Answer 8

It's big!!!! And one rotation takes 24 hours. Even if you were sitting on a chair and staring at a basketball which was completing one rotation in 24 hours, you would have a hard time trying to see the motion.

Answer 9

It's difficult to see n a satellite because a satelite orbits in, usually, about 2 hours, and it takes the Earth 24 hors to make one revolution. Tou can't feel it because you're moving with it.

HTH ☺

Doug

Answer 10

... your on it....in a car you dont feal the movement you feal the acceleration ... so if the earth sped up or slowed down .... in theory ... you would feel it....

you see it every day ... the sun ... when it sets and rises ... that is the earth rotating ..... seeing it from a satalite tho ... is generally cus the satalite is orbiting at the same pace so it would seem like there is nothing going on at all