Astrophysics!

Why didn't i mug my astro space exploration notes? Why? Why? Why?

Ok here's something i have to tell you, shun cheng. my astro may look damn pro, but i based them mainly on messier catalog, black holes, stars, astrophysics, and blah blah blah the list goes on and on. But two things i've always neglected to put much time and effort in are NGC(new general catalog) and SPACE EXPLORATION. Back in RI, Ee Sin was supposed to cover these two topics for me during competitions, so i nvr worried abt them. Didn't study them much last year for NUS-NTU astrochallenge either. only know basic things like first dog in space and stuff.


And oh how i regretted my decision today when i saw the physics paper man. Polar orbit! And yes, i rmb seeing those two words in my space exploration notes when i glanced through them long time ago. So i went through my notes just now, and i'm damn sian diao now. let me quote my notes.

"Polar orbits are orbits that pass closely over both poles of the earth. These orbits have an inclination of close to 90 degrees, allowing them to cover virtually every part of the planet as the planet rotates. As such, these satellites are commonly used for mapping or surveillance operations. Polar orbits over the earth can also be used to measure the ozone concentration due to the altitude which they're at when they make their orbit. An example of a satellite with a polar orbit is that of the Magellan spacecraft orbiting Venus.

However, launching a polar orbit around earth would require more energy and hence more propellant, as its orbital inclination is high and such orbits cannot make use of the earth's rotational motion to give it a speed boost. "


WTH! everything is in there. This piece of info was supposed to have been ingrained in me since sec 3. damn it. i suck.