Satellite watching

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/satellite-watching

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the first artificial satellite?Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957
2. What is the orbital categories?Geostationary Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
3. Why did people start putting satellites into space?The first satellite, Sputnik 1, showed that it is possible to put a machine into orbit. After that, many countries built their own satellites to learn more about space and help people on Earth.
4. How can I see a satellite in the night sky?Look up at the night sky and watch for bright dots that move quickly. Satellites are easier to spot when the sky is dark and they are near the horizon.

Orbital Mechanics: The study of the motion of celestial bodies and artificial satellites under the influence of gravity.
Geostationary Orbit (GEO): An orbit 35,786 km above the equator where satellites appear stationary relative to Earth's surface.
Light Pollution: The excessive and inappropriate use of artificial light, which degrades the quality of the night sky for astronomical observation.