What is the primary use of a polar-orbiting satellite?

The primary use of a polar-orbiting satellite is to monitor the Earth's surface and climate over time, making them particularly effective for tracking long-term changes such as deforestation. These satellites orbit the Earth from pole to pole, allowing them to observe different parts of the Earth as the planet rotates beneath them. This orbit provides comprehensive coverage of the entire surface, enabling consistent collection of data over the same areas over time.

While other options like monitoring weather patterns or forecasting daily weather may involve satellites, polar-orbiting satellites are not designed primarily for real-time monitoring or short-term forecasting like their geostationary counterparts. High-resolution photographs of Earth can certainly be taken, but the distinct advantage of polar-orbiting satellites lies in their ability to provide data over time, which is essential for observing gradual changes like deforestation rather than immediate weather phenomena.