Satellite local solar time

Figure 3.15a,b. Zonally averaged wind velocities for the equinox period (February 12 to May 3, 1993) at 12 00 h local solar time derived from the combined observations of HRDI and WINDII on board the UARS satellite. Zonal (a) and meridional (b) wind velocities (m/s) are shown between 65 and 140 km altitude. Dashed lines correspond to westward winds (easterlies) for the zonal component and to southward winds for the meridional component. The signature of solar tides is visible. Adapted from McLandress et al., 1996. 

The dark period experienced by a satellite is known as satellite eclipse during which the local time is a serious consideration for receiving audio video signal from the satellite. The maximum eclipse duration, when the satellite is in the earth s shadow at the season of the equinoxes, is typically 72 minutes, and its peak is passed at the apparent solar midnight for a point at the same longitude as the satellite. 

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