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The Schools' Observatory: How Are Satellites Useful?
The Schools' Observatory: How Are Satellites Useful?
OBSERVATORY
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History
Science
How are satellites useful?
Technology Part of: Engineering Environment Technology
Engineering
Satellites are useful in lots of ways. They look at the Earth as well
Telescopes
as space. They also help us in our the daily lives.
Satellites
How are satellites useful?
Communications
Observing satellites
Satellites in
Space Exploration space allow
Maths us to share
Useful Links information
across the
whole
world. The
signals used
by TV and
mobile
phones use
a type of
light called
radio
waves.
Radio waves Smartphone with maps app
can travel Credit: The Schools' Observatory
long
distances but only in a straight line. This means they can't go
around the curve of the Earth. So we can't send these signals along
the ground to other side of the globe. Instead, we send the signal
up to a satellite in space. The satellite then sends the signal back
down to Earth. If you live or work in a remote part of the world,
satellite phones and Internet are vital.
Weather
&
Climate
The weather
affects our
lives each
day, so we
need
reliable
weather
forecasts.
They help Phytoplankton blooms in the North Sea
us to plan Credit: The Met Office
our activities and decide what to wear. Extreme weather can cause
flooding, wildfires, droughts or hurricanes. These types of weather
put people's homes, businesses and lives at risk. So accurate
weather forecasts can save lives. Bad weather can be a huge
problem for industries like farming, fishing, construction and
tourism. They rely on forecasts to plan their activities. Weather
forecasts use computers and lots of data to predict what's going to
happen. They rely on the correct data coming from satellites
measuring the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. The first weather
satellite was Tiros 1 which launched on 1st April 1960.
Observing Earth
Over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water. Satellites are
used to collect lots of information on the seas and oceans. The
height of sea levels and waves, the temperature of water, and the
direction and strength of ocean winds are all measured. Photos
taken from space show the amount of land covered in forests or
crops, or covered by roads and buildings. Satellites also measure
the amount of pollution in the air.
The Liverpool
Telescope is owned
and operated by
LJMU with financial
support from STFC