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A geosynchronous orbit is one that has the same orbital period as the Earth's sidereal rotation (23 h 56 m 4 sec), but
does not have an orbital inclination and eccentricity of zero. A satellite in such an orbit would weave figure-eights
around a point on the ecliptic when viewed from the ground. It is often used to mean geostationary
orbit and is sometimes also called a Clarke orbit.
Geostationary Orbit, High Earth Orbit, Low Earth Orbit
© 1996-2007 Eric W. Weisstein
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