Geostationary Satellite
An orbiting weather satellite that maintains the same position over the equator during the earth’s rotation. Also known as GOES, an acronym for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. Related terms: polar-orbiting satellite.
Weather
The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and with respect to its effect on life and human activities. It is the short term variations of the atmosphere, as opposed to the long term, or climatic, changes. It is often referred to in terms of brightness, cloudiness, humidity, precipitation, temperature, visibility, and wind,
Satellite
Any object that orbits a celestial body, such as a moon. However, the term is often used in reference to the manufactured objects that orbit the earth, either in a geostationary or a polar manner. Some of the information that is gathered by weather satellites, such as GOES9, includes upper air temperatures and humidity, recording the temperatures of cloud tops, land, and ocean, monitoring the movement of clouds to determine upper level wind speeds, tracing the movement of water vapor, monitoring the sun and solar activity, and relaying data from weather instruments around the world.
Equator
The geographic circle at 0 degrees latitude on the earth’s surface. It is equal distance from the North and South Poles and divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern.
Polar-Orbiting Satellite
A satellite whose orbit passes over both of the earth’s between poles.