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Terminator (solar)
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==Scientific significance== Examination of a terminator can yield information about the surface of a planetary body; for example, the presence of an [[atmosphere]] can create a fuzzier terminator. As the particles within an atmosphere are at a higher elevation, the light source can remain visible even after it has set at ground level. These particles scatter the light, reflecting some of it to the ground. Hence, the sky can remain illuminated even after the sun has set. Images showing a planetary terminator can be used to map topography: the position of the tip of a mountain behind the terminator line is measured when the Sun still or already illuminates it while the base of the mountain remains in shadow.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Furger|first=Markus|date=February 2009|title=Cloud-base or mountain shadow?|journal=Weather|volume=64|issue=2|pages=53|doi=10.1002/wea.352|bibcode=2009Wthr...64...53F|s2cid=120609206 |issn=0043-1656|doi-access=free}}</ref>Β [[Low Earth orbit]] satellites take advantage of the fact that certain polar orbits set near the terminator do not suffer from [[eclipse]], therefore their [[solar cell]]s are continuously lit by sunlight. Such orbits are called dawn-dusk orbits, a type of [[Sun-synchronous orbit]]. This prolongs the operational life of a LEO satellite, as onboard battery life is prolonged. It also enables specific experiments that require minimum interference from the Sun, as the designers can opt to install the relevant sensors on the dark side of the satellite.
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