What distinguishes the apparent movement of LEO satellites versus GEO satellites for an observer?

Answer

LEO satellites show very fast transit across the sky (minutes), while GEO satellites appear fixed over one point

The key difference in observation lies in the altitude and corresponding speed of the satellites. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbit relatively close to the planet (under 2,000 km) and must move extremely fast, around 27,000 km/h, causing them to transit the visible sky rapidly, often disappearing within five to ten minutes. In stark contrast, Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites reside at about 35,786 km, where their orbital speed perfectly matches the Earth's rotation rate, making them appear stationary or fixed over a single location on the globe, ideal for continuous communication links. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites fall in between, showing moderately fast transits over several hours.

What distinguishes the apparent movement of LEO satellites versus GEO satellites for an observer?

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