# Thread: Physics/geometry

1. ## Physics/geometry

A geosynchronous satellite is stationary over a point on the equator (zero degrees latitude) at the same longitude as Seattle, Washington. Seattle's latitude is 47.6°. If you want to communicate with the satellite, at what angle above the horizon must you point your communication device? The Earth's radius is 6.38×10^6 m. The orbital radius of a geosynchronous satellite was found in a previous problem (you can also calculate it using the mass of the Earth: 5.97×10^24 kg). Hint: You will also need the law of sines and the law of cosines.

The orbital radius of a geosynchronous is 3.58e7 meters.

Thanks!

2. Originally Posted by Linnus
A geosynchronous satellite is stationary over a point on the equator (zero degrees latitude) at the same longitude as Seattle, Washington. Seattle's latitude is 47.6°. If you want to communicate with the satellite, at what angle above the horizon must you point your communication device? The Earth's radius is 6.38×10^6 m. The orbital radius of a geosynchronous satellite was found in a previous problem (you can also calculate it using the mass of the Earth: 5.97×10^24 kg). Hint: You will also need the law of sines and the law of cosines.

The orbital radius of a geosynchronous is 3.58e7 meters.

Thanks!
First draw a labled diagram, such as that in the attachment.

Now can you solve it?

RonL